Page 37— Fourth line, third word IGGl read 1629 

38 — Top line, second word, Joseph read Jonathan 

41— Twentieth line from top, 1G89 read 16S7. 

44 — Twenty-first line from bottom, fourth word, Lonstreel 

read Longstreet. 
52 — Fifth line from bottom, Wm. C. read \Vm. A. L. 

Sibley 
57 — Sibley Home, Soochow, China, not indexed. 
90 — Confederate Certificate for R. P. Sibley signed by 

Capt. Geo. T. Barnes not indexed. 
90 — Twenty-second line from top have lsy'5 read l!i08. 
96 — Catherine Elizabeth Sibley not indexed. 
103 — Second line from top, second word T.onstreet read 

Longstreet. 
103 — Fifteenth line Ulysses Maner read Ulysses Maner 

Erwin. 
103 — Seventeenth line, fifth word Allen read Allan, 
111 — Thirty-fourth line from top sixth word 1678 read ;6S7- 
m — Thirty-fourth lir.e from top eighth word Zerniah read 

Zeruiah. 
114 — John Sibley omitted acciiientally from index. 
114 — Third line, sixth word Zerniah read Zeruiah. 
115 — Twenty-second line, second word widow, read wife of 
Gen. Chas. E. Smedes, C. S. A. 
118 — Eighteenth line from bottom, first word, Francis, rend 
Frances. 
118 — Twenty-seventh line, first word Francis read Frances. 
120 — Twelfth line Constance Maxwell Cooper should be 
Couper accidentally unindexed. 

Josiah Sibley, of Augusta, Georgia, born April 1st, Ib'Jb. 

(Joel '', Stephen '', John "*, John '•\ Joseph -, John '.) 
Gen'l Henry Hastings Sibley, of Detroit, Michigan, born 

February 20th, ISll (Solomon'^, Reuben^, Jonathan', 

Joseph •"', Joseph -. John ',) are of the fifth generation from 

Joseph Sibley ^. 



Ancestry and Life 



or 



JOSIAH SIBLEY 

Bora April l»i. 1808. al Uxbnd^c. Mass. 
Dtrd Dccrmb^r 7ih. 1888, .ii Augusl.i, Ga. 



COMniXO BT 

KOBtKT PENDLLTON SIBLE 

. EXECUTORS 
JOHN ADAMS SIBLEY 



JAMES LONGSTKEET SIBLEY 



S 



^^•ij t^,j 1 



(^y(^ ^ 



/I 

2 



IPAMT L 



Th® Amc(BS>^js Lnl!© nisidl Tnsagg 



OF- 



mirj IKmm^mgm SnlbDay 



FROM BIOGRAPHY WRITTEN BY 

NATHANIEL WEST, D. D. (1889; 



HENRY HASTINGS SIBLEY 

Henry Hastings Sibley was born in the city of Detroit, Feb- 
ruary 20th. 1811. He was the fourth child and second son of 
^n honorable sire. Chief Justice Solomon Sibley, of Detroit, 
whose wife Sarah Whipple Sproat, was the only daughter of 
Colonel Ebenezer Sproat, an accomplished officer in the Con- 
tinental Army, and the granddaughter of Connnodore Abraham 
AVhipple, of the Continental Navy, an illustrious connnander, 
the first who fired upon the British flag on the high seas, dur- 
ing the Revolutionary War. and the first to float the star- 
spangled colors from his masthead in the Thames at London. 
Judge Solomon Sibley was born in Sutton, ^fassachusetts, 
October 7th. 1769, and Avas the third son of J^'ubcn Sibley, 
born in the same place, February 20th, 17-l.S. who was the 
second son of Jonathan Sibley, born in the same place, Sept. 11, 
1718, Avho was the fourth son of Joseph, son of Joseph Sibley 
II., born in the same place, November f)th, 16S4, wlio was the 
first son of Joseph Sibley I., born in the same ]^lace. 1()55, who 
was the third son of John Sibley I., of Salem. ^lassachusetts, 
the brother of Richard Sibley I., of Salem. Tradition vibrates 
somewhat as to the precise time when these two brothers first 
appeared in America. One account states that. ''In the year 
1637, John Hamj^den, Oliver Cromwell and John Pym, and 
others, weary of the tyranny of Charles Rex and Archbishop 
Laud, determined to emigrate, in a body, from England to 
America, with the purpose of establishing themselves as the 
nucleus of a free community; but the king prohibited their 
embarkation. Among the many young men who were thus 
balked in their purpose were two Sibley brothers, natives of 
Middlesex Count}^, near London ; John and Richard Sibley, 
who contrived to escape, however, and safely landed in that 
part of America, then known as "North Virginia," but now 
as "New England," locating themselves in Salem, Essex 
County, Massachusetts. Both these brothers were unmarried. 
The date of their arrival is somewhat conjectural, one authority 
fixing it at 1614. another at 1620. still another at 1624; Der- 
rick Sibley, of Cincinnati, saying his record is at 1632. The 
precise fact is not yet decided. On the other hand, the later 
and larger number of authorities, so far as accessible, place 
the appearance of the Sibley brothers, John and Richard, 
about, or at the time of the" "Winthrop Fleet," 1629, only 
nine years after the landing of the Pilgrims from the May- 
flower, 1620, at Plymouth Rock, and the settlement of "New 



Plymouth." the first permanent civil foundation ever laid in 
New iMifrhmd; Charles I. bein<>' Kiny of Kn<i'hiiid. Cahieulated 
from whiehever date, the g-enerations of the Sibley family in 
America, from John I., of Salem, to Henry Hastings Sibley, 
of Detroit, are seven generations, and, including his children 
and grandchildren, are nine generations, covering a period of 
two centuries and a half. 

Ogilsby, in his early classic "History of America," published 
1671, narrates that, between 1620 to 1G50, a i)erio(l of thirty 
years, or one generation, the English had planted forty-five 
chief toAvns in "New England," the first one. after the "loca- 
tion of Fort St. George, being "New Plymouth;" the second 
being "Salem," called IMahumbeak by the Indians, and ])uilt. 
in the year 1628, by "merchant adventurers;" the third being 
Charlestown, or Mashawmut; the fourth, "Dorchester, in the 
form of a serpent;" the fifth, "Boston, the metropolis of all 
the rest, in the form of a heart;" the nest, "Roxbury. Avhich 
resembleth a wedge, situated between Boston aiul Dorchester." 

From the early records, it appears that a "John Sibley" 
resided at Charlestown, Massachusetts, in 1684, while another 
"John Sibley" resided at Salem, Massachusetts, 1634 also. 
From these two Sibleys, with "Richard Sibley," a brother of 
John of Salem, all of Puritan stock, have decended the wide- 
spread connection of Sibleys, not only in New England, but 
throughout the whole Pnited States. From the Salem Sibley, 
John I. of Salem, came Henry Hastings Sibley of St. Paul, 
through the line of Joseph I., son of John I. of Salem, Joseph 
II., son of Joseph I., Jonathan, son of Joseph II., Rueben, son 
of Jonathan, and Solomon son of Reuben, as already stated. Of 
the first two John Sible,ys, the one at Charlestown, the other 
at Salem, we shall speak inore hereafter. It is enough for our 
present purpose to state, that in the lines of both John and 
Richard Siblej^ of Salem are found a multitude of men and 
women of high distinction, adorning the annals of the nation,, 
in all the various Avalks of private and public life. 

The name "Sil)ley" is a name of long standing in English 
history, as it is of various orthography, betraying differences 
as marked in its development as are the differences between 
our p]nglish now and that of the times of Spenser and Chaucer. 
In the successive genealogies, heraldries and public records 
of English history, it assumes a multitude of variations; as, 
"Sibell," "Sibille." "Sible," "Siblie," "Sibile," "Sibili,'' 
"Sibilie," "Sibely," "Siblev," "Seble," "Svblv," "Sybele," 
"Sybeli," "Sybyle," "Sybely," with an "alias Sybery." the 
liquid "r" being interchangeable with the liquid "1." and 
moreover drawn into close relation with "Sileby, " by means 
of the marked agreement between the armorial bearings of the 



families of "Sileby" and "Sybly. " The etymology of the name 
is somewhat conjeetural. It is certainly not of Greek deriva- 
tion cognate with "Sibyl" from the Doric genitive of "Zeus" 
(Sios), Jupiter, and "Boule," the counsel or oracle of Jove, 
which the ancient Sibvl professed to be, even though we find 
the names "Sibyl," "Sibley," and "Sibylla" in the published 
pedigrees. It can hardly be of Norman derivation, meaning 
a "field of wheat," "Si," and "ble," since this violates the 
syllabic division of the word. It is doubtless true that some 
of the family were found in England at the time of William 
the Conqueror, but the genealogies do not favor a French 
origin. The word is clearly Anglo-Saxon, from "Sib," which 
means "alliance," "relationship," "peace," and "leagh," 
contracted to "lea," contracted to "ly, " which means some- 
thing laid down, and, therefore, either a "law," or a "land," 
i.e. territory. The line in Gray's Elegy, "The lowing herd 
winds slowly o'er the lea." gives us one of the senses plainly. 
The other sense, cognate to that of the German "legen," to 
lay, and hence, a rule laid down to go by, a law, is familiar 
to all. The meaning of the word "Sibley" is, therefore, 
either (1) Law of Peace, or Peace Law, or (2) Land of Peace, 
or Peace Land, i.e. Alliance Land, Union Land, the idea being 
that of rest, or cessation, from strife. The Rev. John Langdon 
Sibley, many years librarian in the University of Harvard, 
regards the name as a synonym for "Kinsmen's Land," reject- 
ing the primary sense of the "lea," or "ly," viz., a "law," 
and of "Sib," viz., "peace," — these two senses giving us 
"Peace Law," as "conjectui^al." On the contrary, it is an 
established rule in philology, and respected by all the later 
lexicographers, that the primary sense must run somehow, 
and be seen somewhere, in all the subsequent variations. We 
cannot reject it, but must hold to both senses in their fulness 
of historic usage. The combination "Siblev" is the same as 
in the words "Dudley," "Horsley," "Morley," "Huxley," 
"Shipley," Beverly," and seems to express the fact of peace 
and brotherhood enjoyed after times of discord and war. 
The variations in the form of the word do not affect its root 
meaning. These are common to all words in the progress of 
their development. In the New England Genealogocal Dic- 
tionary the forms "Sibly," "Sebley," "Sybley" are given 
as among others of the same name, and found everywhere in 
the history of the family, preciselv as we find the different 
forms of the name ' ' Selby" " " Selebi,"" ' ' Selebe, " " Silibie, ' ' and 
"Silby;" a circumstance which, in connection with the close re- 
semblance of the armorial bearings of the two families, has led 
to the supposition that the name "Selby" is only a variation of 
the name "Sibly." In the town records of Sutton, Mass., 



8 

from 1718 to 1876. avo find "John Sible," "Samuel Sible," 
"Joseph Sibly." ".Martha Sible^'/' all of the same family, a 
variation frequent both in Old and New England in the six- 
teenth and seventeenth centuries. 

The armorial bearini^s of the different branches of this 
ancient and widespread family ar<^ diversified, representing 
both peace and war, a necessity in the national liistory of 
any family. In the "Collectanea Topographica et Genea- 
logica.'' London, 1837. the arms of the Poynes and Sibells 
are given as copied from an old worn stone below the east 
door of the chapel of St. Dunstan's in Ihe west of London. 
The inscription reads, "Amies of the I'oyiics and Sibells; 
Barry, oi- and gu., in chief a muUetf, imi)aling-: Gyroiniy of 
eight az.. and or; four martlets in lozenge counterchanged." 
In "Fairbairn's Crests of Great Britiaiumd Trcland," we have 
still another heraldry, (1) "Sybells,'' five halberds in pale, 
az., corded together, of the first and gn.." and (2) "Sybele," 
Engl.; out of ca ducal coronet, or, a swan's head between 
wings." Another coat of arms we find described as "per pale, 
az., and gn.. a griffin l)etween three crescents, ar.," and this 
is given as "the arms of the Sibley family of St. Albans, cer- 
tified to their decendants in this county (Hertford) by the 
present officers of the Herald's College." This is the crest 
George E. Sibley, Esq., of New^ York City, has published as 
the crest of the Sibleys from whom came the first Sibleys of 
Charlestown and Salem, Massachusetts, and is also given by 
Burke, in his General Armory, — "per pale az. and gu., a 
griffin passant between three crescents, ar," — as the arms of 
the same family, — the griffin or half lion and half vulture 
symbolizing swiftness, ferocity, and readiness for attack; a 
a heraldry assumed, doubtless, at some period of the family 
history, by one of its great branches, to commemorate some 
important achievement, or mark some new distinction. This 
in no way conflicts with the more peaceful heraldry of the 
ducal coronet and swan's head with wings, as given in Fair- 
bairn's Crests, a coat of arms believed by the Sibleys of St. 
Albans to be the true crest of the family, the one question 
being whether it is the crest of the Sil)leys from whom canu^ 
"John Sibley, Mayor of St. Albans," or from whom came 
Henry and Thomas Sibley, High Sheriffs of Hertfordshire. 

There is still another coat of arms belonging to the Sil)ley 
generation, and of marked historic interest. If is that ol 
John Sibley of Gray's Inn, London. In Dugdake's celebrated 
"Origines Juridicales," a rare historical memorial of the 
ancient English law courts and forms of trial, we find the 
record "lohannes Sibile, 1559," his coat of arms described 
as fixed "in Borealibus clictae Aulae Ilospicii Grayensis 



9 

Fenestris," that is, "on the north window of the hull called 
Gray's Inn," one of the most renowned seats of Phijj;]isli legal 
learning. The coat of arms of this distinguished man is a 
shield, quarterly; in first and fourth a tiger, gules, viewing 
himself backward, in a mirror, az. ; in second and third a 
chevron, gules, l)etween three eo^vs' heads, eahoshed, fable." 
Burke, in his General Armory, gives "the tiger looking back- 
ward in a mirror, en reguard," as the heraldry of the Sibells 
of Kent county, this "Sibell (County Kent), ar., a tiger look- 
ing down in a glass, reguard, az." This accounts for the 
first and fourth quarters of the shield, and identifies the 
"John Sibile" of Gray's Inn with the "Sibells of Kent," 
famous in defense of the nation. The explanation of tlie 
second and third quarters is given by Hasted in his "History 
and Survey of the County of Kent." Writing of Axton 
Hundred Kent, he describes the estate of the "SibilLs of 
Little Mote" as one which, in 22 Henry, Vol. VHI, was greatly 
increased, and subsequently passed over, through Anne, 
daughter of "Lancelot Sibill," to John Hope, in the time of 
Charles I. At the time of the survey of Domesday, the estate 
became the possession of Odo, bishop of Baieus. and half- 
brother of William the Concpieror, and was unquestionably 
reclaimed in some late period of English history; an estate 
which, held, at first, by its Saxon owmers, either from Harold 
or Edward the Confessor, 1042, was, doubtless, confiscated in 
1066, and given, like others, by the Conqueror to his relatives, 
nobles and friends. The explanation of the three cows' heads 
is that the manors of Little Motes, possessed by the Sibells 
were increased by tlie nuirriage of one of the Sibells to the 
heir of CoW'dale," and the heraldic emblem, commemorating 
this accession, is the "three cows' heads" in the third and 
fourth quarters of the combined escutcheon. Among these 
Kentish "Sil)ells," in the time of Henrv VII. we find "Thomas 
Sibell," and "Nicolas Sibell" in the time of Edward VI., 
both men of distinction. 

The coat of arms, therefore, of "John Sibile, 1559," of Gray's 
Inn, connects him with the Kentish Sibells, and commemorates 
the increase of their estates by the marriage referred to. The 
names with which the name of this eminent and "utter bar- 
rister" of Gray's Inn is associated are second to none in 
English history, being those of Spelman, Sackville, Lovelace, 
Walsingham, Lord Bacon, Yelverton and others, all fellows 
of the same renoAvned hospice. As to the St. Albans branch 
of the family, authoritative history has preserved the name 
of "John Sibley, Mayor of the Borough of St. Albans, 1557, 
1569, 1578," and, among the contemporarv mayors of St. 
Albans, "William West, 1535; William West, 1568, 1576, and 



10 

Kichard West. 1813." The conteinporaneons association of 
these names in the same county and city in Old England, and 
the contemporaneous appearance of the same names in Charls- 
tow7i and Salem, in New England, with others similarly asso- 
ciated and in lioth places, go far to establish the fact of "^a com- 
mon geographical origin and relation of the Sibleys of New 
England to the Sibleys of Hertfordshire, and of Kent also. 
They were numerous, and occupied prominent positions on 
both sides of the Avater. Among the high sheriffs of Hert- 
fordshire we find "Henry Sibley, p]sq.. of Yardley," and 
"Thomas Sibley, Esq., of Yardley," dui-ing the reign of George 
I., and "Edward Sibley of the JMonastery of St. Albans, pen- 
sioned in the reign of Queen ^lary after the dissolution of the 
religious houses in the (county of Hertford." 

That the Sibleys of Hertfordshire and Kent were of the 
same family is indisputable to anyone who understands the 
English history. What the relation of "John Sibile, 1559," 
of Gray's Inn — the Kentish Sibley — was to "John Sibley, 
mayor of St. Albans, 1557," is a question of interest. What- 
ever the solution as to the special branches of the family and 
their various heraldries, there is no doubt that from these 
descended the "John Sibley" of Charlestown, and the "John 
Sil)ley" of Salem, ]\Iassachusetts, the last the blood progeni- 
tor of the Henry Hastings Sibley of St. Paul. JMinnesota. In 
one of the most painstaking investigations of a portion of this 
vast connection, found in the work entitled "Wells of South- 
hold," the result of the study is thus stated: "John Sibley I., 
of Charlestown, Massachusetts, was a lineal descendant of 
the Sibley family of St. Albans, Herts, England, where John 
Sibley was burgess and mayor in the time of Edward VI." — 
a monarch who ruled on the English throne from 1547 to 1553, 
the patron of Crammer, whose catechism was called the 
"Catechism of Edward VI." Only one and a half generations 
lie between the John Sibl(\ys of Hertford and Kent, on the 
one hand, and the John Sibleys of Charlestown and Salem, on 
the other, and less than one generation between their im- 
mediate descendants and the Sibley immigration to America. 
English history seems to give us no other contemporary "John 
Sibley" outside the John of Gray's Inn, and the John of St. 
Albans, the one 1559, the other 1557, and if these were the 
same person, seen under different relations, then we have but 
one "John" known to history whose name the Johns of 
Charlestown and Salem could have borne. The traditions of 
the Sibley family from its earliest intimation near the time 
of the Conqueror; then, later still, siding with the Duke of 
York against the king in the battle of St. Albans, A.D. 1455, 
where the first blow was struck between the houses of York 



11 

and Lancaster; their hereditary love of freedom and hatred 
of religious oppression; the fact that, not only among the 
Cavaliers but also among the Puritans in still later times, the 
sons of men of distinction, some competent as merchants, some 
less affluent than others, sought a home in Western Wilds; 
the conspicuous prominence of the Sibleys in New England 
affairs so soon after their arrival ; the identity of the proper 
names in the family on both sides of the sea, and of associated 
families also ; all seems clearly to determine the whole ques- 
tion of family affiliation. The two following letters, however, 
recently communicated to General Henry Hastings Sibley, by 
his relative, a gentleman of high distinction in the city of 
London, must be conclusive in the judgment of reasonable 
men: 

"32 St. George's Square, S. W. 
"London. January 1, 1888. 
"General Henrv Hastings Sibley, 
"Dear Sir: 

"I have always regretted that the ties between 
Old and New England were allowed to slacken and almost 
die off. Now, however, there is a new spirit, and as the 
main body of the English speaking races are now on 
your continent, so I hope the intercourse will be better 
kept up. I am. as you are aware, descended from Elizabeth 
Sibley, one of the main stock in our county of Hert- 
ford. In the course of events it has fallen to my share, in 
association with my Sibley connections here, to assist in eluci- 
dating the genealogy, as I informed you. through the help 
of the authorities of St. Albans, and I have been enabled to 
settle for your American tribe the filiation from that branch. 

"It is, therefore, as a simple tribute to a national and family 
feeling that, on the occurrence of new year, I salute, in your 
person, one of those who have conferred high distinction on 
the Sibley family. It may be that it will not be my lot to do 
so for many more years. 

"We have our General Sibley here, also, my associate in his 
boyhood, who joined his family in India, and has now retired 
from the service. His brother, George, holds the Indian 
decoration. Faithfullv vours. 

"HYDE CLARKE." 

The second letter, written a few months later, is equally im- 
portant and interesting : 

"32 St. George's Square, S. W. 
"London, April 23, 1888. 
"General Henry Hastings Sibley, 
"Dear Sir: 

"I had the pleasure of receiving your kind letter 



12 

of February 6th In the north window of the great hall of 
(rray's Tnn, in London, one of onr aneiont law colleges, stood 
the arms of John Sibile, 1559. 

"These arms are recorded by the famons Dngdale in his 
'Origines Juridicales.' They are not the same as those after- 
ward gr;m1(>d to the Siblcys. the sheriffs. It appears, there- 
fore, tliut tlie Sibleys had their arms, at least, in the sixteenth 
century. This Sibley was most probably yonr forefather, John 
Sibley, the mayor of St. Albans, although there may have been 
some other John. The Gray's Inn Silili^v was a man of con- 
sideration. An event in the history of our family is the part 
it plaved in New England. It has not, however, been without 
a share in our Indian empire. Besides the Sibleys, mostly in 
the military s(u^vic(\ the Rivett-Carbacs (Burnetts), a great 
civil family, descended, by marriage, from a Sibley. The 
great civilian, Sir Richard Temple, baronet, and grand com- 
mander of the Star of India, who was lieutenant governor of 
i^cngal and ruled 1,000,000.000 of the human race, was also 
descended from the Rivett (.'arnacs. AVc have sent you some 
colonists to the Pacific. My cousin, Arthur Clarke, is, for the 
time, in Santa Barbara, California, beaten out of New Zea- 
land by the climate, and ray cousin Gertrude, married to Cap- 
tain H. A. ]\Iellon, of Vancouver, British Columbia, is taking 
shelter there from the cold of Winnipeg, together with her 
brother Frederick Clarke and family. So we spread out. 

"Yours faithfully, 

"ilYDE CLARKE." 

Few pedigrees of three centuries and a half are better estab- 
lished. That the Sibleys, of Hertford, were of the same family 
as the other Sibleys of Somerset, Kent. Northampton, Middle- 
sex, Essex, Sussex, Leicester and Huntingdon, is attested by 
various genealogies. Everywhere, wherever their intermar- 
riages are found, some are among those of the highest culture 
in the realm. In "jMarshall's Genealogist." the entry is made 
that Richard Sibley of Cogenhoe. Northampton, married, 1711, 
Elizabeth, daughter of William Dodington, of London, son of 
George Dodington. of Ilorsington, Somerset, son of the cele- 
brated Christopher Dodington. Esq.. of Lincoln's Inn, who 
married the daughter of the Rev. William Gouge, D.D., — one 
of the most eminent divines of the Westminster Assembly. 
This pedigree is attested by E. S. Bendy, the Chester herald, 
and G. W. Callcn. the portcullis pursuivant of arms. Richard 
Sibley was thus great grandson, by marriage, of the eminent 
counselor of Lincoln Inn. who was the son-in-law of Dr. Gouge. 
Mrs. Sibley was thus the great-granddaughter of the same 
eminent counselor. These relationships are samples of many 



13 

that crown both sides of the house with distiiietion, and show 
the high social position of tlie Sibleys in great part, during 
the memorable times of the Stuarts, Cromwell, and James; 
in fact, from the time of Edward to Queen Atme, a period of 
over a century and a half, 1547-1714. 

That the Sibley family is of great anticiuity there is no 
question. From Charles I. to William the Conqueror is a long 
road, but the Sibley line runs the whole w^ay. retrograde from 
the landing of the"" Winthrop Fleet," 1629-80. to the time of 
the Plantagenet Henry II., if not to the battle of Hastings, 
1066. Eminent as were the Kentish and St. Albans Sibleys, 
in the time of the Tudors, when "John Sibley" was mayor 
and burgess of the city, sixty years before the Mayflower 
sailed, we find them no less so during the times of the "Wars 
of the Roses." and memorable battle of St. Albans, where 
Somerset died on the field, and of Northampton, where the 
roval forces were routed and Henrv VI. himself was captured, 
1460. In "Willis' Cathedrals of Eiigland" we find the follow- 
ing: "John Sibley, 1459, succeeded Roger Mersham as pre- 
bendary of Lincolf. " In the age of Henry V., we find the 
name spelled "Sibyle." in the reign of Richard II., son of 
the Black Prince, the time of Wat Tyler and the peasants' 
rebellion against taxation, the name is written in the record 
commission, "Sibille." Far back as the time of Wallace and 
Bruce, and Edward I., we meet it ever recurring in various 
forms. In the "Rotuli Hundredorum." 1807-1272. it stands 
in the lists of the owners of lands in the counties of Kent, Ox- 
ford, and Suffold, written as "Sibeli." "Sibili," "Sibli." "Sy- 
bli," and so, in other rolls or registers preserved in the Tower 
of London. In the "Rotuli Litterarum Clausarum," it appears 
as "Seblev," and Svblv," just as Ave find "Selebi" and 
Selebie" for "Selby," and "Wynthroop" for "Winthrop." 
Beyond the "Magna Charta," back to the time of Richard 
the Lion Heart, the Crusades, and the Conquest of Ireland, 
we find it, 1201-1189, in the "Rotuli Chartarum," again spelled 
with two "ll's" as before; "ex dono Sibille de Rames cum 
Cloucestre." As in later times, so here, in the heart of the 
Middle Age, Ave encounter the name in the feminine form, 
"Sibilla, " from Avhich doubtless the combination, "Sibilla Sib- 
ley," and "Sibly Sibley," of more modern date, have sprung. 
Whether the combination Avas made in deference to her who 
muttered from the tripod of Cuma, and the authority of whose 
interpolated Avords Avas great in the IMiddle Age — -"teste 
David cum Sibylla" — Ave have no means of knowing. Romance 
gives to Charlemagne's queen the name "Sibilla." So, also, 
we find the name "Fitz-Sibly. " the saxonized form of "Filius 
Sibillae," a name occurring in the parishes of Essex. In the 



14 

"Rotuli Clausanim," 1201, we meet with "Sifilla, filia Roberti 
Filii Ilugonis de Sibbet'ord"; — Sibilla, daughter of Robert 
Fitzhugh of Sibford, and in the same Rotuli we find "Sibilla 
filia Agnetis de Lasceio," and again "Sibilla uxor Jordaui."' 
So in the Rotuli of Patents, we find "Sibilla mater Wilhelmi 
de Fulbrok," standing in eonection with such phrases as 
"Sutton litteris attestata," "Sumerst custodia portium," 
"Siimest foresta," "Somerst in terra," and "Somers." And, 
in the rolls of patents in the time of King John I., 1186, after 
the conventional "Sciatis quod," we find a grant made to 
"Rieardus de Sibton," — the Sib-town being simply the Sib- 
lea, inhabited; — another to "Sibilla uxor Arsic," and another 
to "Sibilla, Priorissa et Abbatissa P]lecta de Berking." 

One step more concludes our backward journey. We have 
reached the twelfth century, A.D. 1186, covering a period of 
nearly four centuries and a half, dated backward from 1029, 
the time of the "Winthrop Fleet," or seven hundred years 
from the present day.. It is but a step to William the Con- 
queror, A.D. 1066, the eleventh century. The "Domesday 
Book" (Liber Domes Dei) is the oldest national record in the 
archives of England, the record of the "Great Survey" of Eng- 
land at the time of the Conquest, made in order to ascertain 
who were rightful holders of lands and estates under Kings 
Edward and Harold, whether as allocial or under tenants. 
That no record of Sibley estates or lands is here found is no 
proof that none existed; for, first of all, the survey was in- 
complete, and next, it is well established that William, bent 
on punishing those who dared resist his invasion, confiscated 
their estates, giving the same to his Norman knights, while 
their Saxon owners were left to shift for themselves. Never- 
theless we find ancient traces of the "Albani," "Salebi," 
"Siboldas, " and "Sybton," which taken in connection with 
the history of the Sibley family in England, justifies the rea- 
sonable conclusion that the ancestral line of Henry Hastings 
Sibley of St. Paul, Minnesota, extends backward, from the 
present moment, to the eleventh century, the time of the Nor- 
man Conquest, A.D. 1066, a period of over eight hundred 
years. 

If, now, we start from the same epoch that formed the base 
for our backward search, namely, A.D. 1629, and come for- 
ward to the present time, our labor will be no less richly re- 
warded. As a preliminary word, it is proper to say that, while 
the Sibley family seem in English history to side with the men 
who fought for civil and religious liberty and against the 
oppression of tyrants and kings, yet some in the line seem to 
have been of opposite views. In Rvmer's Eaedera we find the 
following: "For John Sibley. The king, May 26, 1632,. 



15 

granted to John Sil)ley et al., the office of clerk and clerks in 
the star chamber, during life;" and in the famous Dngdale's 
"Warwickshire Knightlow Hundred," the record, "Thomas 
Sibley, clerk." This, however, is offset by history of another 
hue. In Besse's "Sufferings of the Quakers," we find that 
"Thomas Sibley, 1684, and William Sibley, 1685, were sent to 
gaol for being at an unlawful meeting, a conventicle in Somer- 
setshire." In the same volume, "William Sibley" is chroni- 
cled as a prisoner in 1685 in Leicester, for like offense, this 
place being the town where the Rev. Iligginson was settled as 
pastor before he sailed in the "Winthrop Fleet" to Massa- 
chusetts, 1629; the time about which the first Sibleys came to 
the New World. This piece of history illustrates the period. 
The "Camera Stellata" and the "Conventicle" were but 
obverse sides of the same historic epoch, adorned with the 
face of Charles on the one side and of Cromwell on the other, 
and it was but natural that then, as now, in every great 
national question, families were represented on both sides. 
The burden of record, however, goes to show that the Sibleys 
were of Puritanic stock, men of the same mind with those who 
accompanied John Robinson to Holland, or Winthrop to Salem. 
The same counties from which the sires came are the counties 
in which, today, their children are enrolled as "Owners of 
Land in England," the counties of Kent, jMiddlesex. North- 
ampton, Essex, Sussex, Hertford, Somerest, Leicester, Lincoln, 
Warwick and Devon. 

The epoch of history when the "Winthrop Fleet" bore 
"John Sibley" to Massachusetts, was, next to that of the 
great Reformation of the sixteenth century, and of which it 
was only an echo, the grandest in modern times. It was a 
time when the spirit of Liberty rekindled her torch, and a 
Hampden, S.vdney, and Pym were abroad in the majesty of 
popular rights ; a time when the commons in Parliament dared 
to affirm the freedom of speech as their ancient right, and the 
watchwords "Petition of Right," and "Freedom to Worship 
God," sounded from Puritan tongues. Both denied by king, 
lords, star chamber, and high commission, the eyes of thousands 
were turned to where the Pilgrims, but nine years before, had 
made their home. A remarkable circumstance, scarce known 
to the American people, is that the Winthrop expedition was 
conditioned on a fact which bore in its breast the germ of the 
whole American Revolution and the absolute independence 
of the colonies in 1776. That fact was the surrender of the 
charter and the transfer of the whole government of the 
colony and company of Massachusetts Bay to the company 
itself; a present, absolute, and total release of the colonists 
from a foreign jurisdiction, forever. Certain men of learn- 



16 

ing and wealth, witli wide influence over others, and who, for 
several years, had discussed the matter, met, August 26th, 
1629, under the shadow of the walls of the University of 
Cambridge, in Old England, and "having weighed the great- 
ness of the work in regard of its consequences, God's glory, 
and the church's good," offered to the general court of the 
Massachusetts company, to cross the high seas under God's 
protection," and make a new and firm plant in the New 
World, taking with them their families, friends and all things 
needed, "provided the whole governincnt. together with the 
patent for said plantation (the Plymouth company's plant) 
be first, by order of court, legally transferred and established 
to remain with us and others who shall also inhabit said plan- 
tation." Xot as mere adventurers they came, but to stay for- 
ever; yet only upon condition that the "whole government" 
go with them to Salem, and the company be free forever from 
subordination to a foreign jurisdiction. The immensity of that 
proposition was felt by the general court, but the splendor 
of the otfer extorted assent, and "Winthrop's Fleet" was the 
result. Tradition relates that in one of the vessels of that 
fleet of fourteen sail, came "John Sibley," the ancestor of 
Henry Hastings Sibley, of St. Paul, Minnesota. It was a fleet, 
departing from different ports and landing at different dates, 
"furnished with men, women and children, all necessaries, 
men of handicrafts, and others of good condition, wealth and 
quality, with two hundred and sixty kine and other cattle to 
make a firm plantation in New England." Godfearing men, 
among whom were "merchants and capitalists of London, and 
others also who mingled hopes of profit with a desire to do 
good and advance the cause of religion;" men like Governor 
Winthrop, Sir Henry Kosewell, Sir John Young, Dudley, 
Humphrey, Sibley, Saltonhall, West, Coddington, Southcoat, 
Johnson, Lothrop, Thorndike, with some fifteen or twenty 
ministers, such as Pligginson, Davenport, Skelton, Nye, Ward, 
Maverick, Bright, and Smith, a company, in all, of nearly 
two thousand souls. 

The difference between old and new style reckoning has 
caused some confusion in the early records, embarassing, on 
some accounts. Of this. Prince and others have complained. 
The fact is that the "Winthrop Fleet" is so called from its 
chief personage, John Winthrop, first governor of the colony 
under its surrendered patent. Its preparation began in the year 
1628-1629, and was in progress during the consideration of 
the proposal to bring the government of the colony, this time, 
along with the emigrants tliemselves. As early even as the 
autvnnn of 1628, six vessels, bearing two hundred English emi- 
grants, entered the harbor of Salem in Massachusetts Bay,. 



17 

their governor, John Endicott, selecting for them the place of 
their settlement. This was the advance guard of the "Win- 
throp Fleet." The Plymouth company, March, 1628, having 
granted to Endicott and twenty-five others the territory from 
three miles south of the bay to three miles north of the ex- 
tremest point of the ]\[errimac. Endicott sailed from England 
and landed at Naundvcag (Salem), where Conant welcomed 
his arrival. In June, 1621), Rev. Francis Higginson, with an- 
other large comi)any, arrived in Salem, and July 4, 1629, 
founded Charlestown, the charter already alluded to being 
assigned to the colonists, August, 1629. This, a purely mer- 
cantile company, became an independent provincial govern- 
ment, Winthrop being elected as the first governor of the 
colony under its new regime, one detachment of vessels bear- 
ing 406; another, in June, 1630, bearing 800, and another, in 
July, 700 more emigrants to the New World. In short, Endi- 
eott's and Winthrop 's fleets were parts of one vast emigra- 
tion, in the years 1628-1630, impelled by the "new idea of an 
independent existence on the transatlantic side," the vessels 
departing at different dates, and from different ports, and 
arriving at Salem at different times. The great movement, 
of which the "Winthrop Fleet" was the main body, included 
all who sailed immediately before and innnediately after the 
the main body. In the absence of complete shiplists of emi- 
grants, port records being either lost or not accesible, room 
exists for some latitude of conjecture as to the precise date 
of the arival of certain persons. All the more is this so, 
inasmuch as a number of the ships of both Endicott 's and 
Winthrop 's fleets continued to sail under their charters, re- 
peating their trips, to and fro, for several years after 1628- 
1630. The date of the arrival of the Arabella, or admiral 
ship, of twenty-eight guns, bearing Winthrop, is, however, 
well ascertained, being June 24th, 1630, the vessel landing 
at Naumkeag, or Nahumkeik (Salem), named from the 
Hebrew "Nahum-keik," "Haven of Comfort," and from 
Psalm 76:2, "In Salem also is His tabernacle." We read that 
"some of the company moved to ]\Iishawum, to Avhich Governor 
Endicott gave the name of Charlestown, on Massachusetts 
bay, and which received the company of Winthrop," the Pil- 
grims being now saluted by the newcomers as an "independ- 
ent colony," the fleet having borne both charter and sover- 
eignty into their hands. 

In "Felt's Annals of Salem" the entry is made, like that 
of so many others, "Sibley, John, mr. c. fl., 1629;" — that is, 
"John Sibley, married, came over in the fleet, 1629; — an en- 
try made when enumerating the "first settlers in Salem, many 
of whom came from Northampton, the north of Scotland, and 



18 

south of England." In Drake's "History of the Antiquities 
of Boston," the name "John Sibh\v" is enumerated in the 
list of names known to have been in Salem before and in the 
year 1629." Of this John Sibley (of Salem), John Langdon 
Sibley, librarian of Harvard University, says, that "he took 
the freeman's oath September 3, 168-t; was the sixteenth on 
the list of members of the First church, Salem; Avas select- 
man in 16.36 at Salem; had a grant of land of fifty acres at 
Manchester, 1636; was selectman there also in 1636; an ex- 
tensive land owner; died in Manchester. 1661; had nine chil- 
dren, four boys and five girls; aiul his widow. Rachel, brought 
the inventory into court, and 'ye court doe order that ye 
estate be left in ye widoe's hands to l)ring up ye children till 
ye court take further order'." Hanson, in his "History of 
Danvers," says of this same Sibley, that "he had land near 
Salem village, now probably Danvers." Savage, president of 
me Massachusetts Historical Society, says of this Sibley also 
that "he took the freeman's oath September 3, 1634; was 
selectman, 1636; had land at Manchester and Jeffrey's creek, 
1637; died at IManchester, 1661; his widow, Rachel." And 
Barber in his "Massachusetts Historical Collections," says 
that the church to which he was admitted as a member, "was 
the first Protestant church formed in the New World." The 
early records, however, make mention of a John Sibley, of 
Charlestown, impossible to be identified with the "John Sib- 
ley, of Salem," inasmuch as though bearing the same name, 
yet they took the oath, and united Avith the church, at differ- 
ent dates, died twelve years apart, their families, the names 
of their w^idows, and inventory of their estates being differ- 
ent, also. Of the Charlestown John Sibley, it is recorded by 
Wyman, in his "Genealogies and Estates of Charlestown, 
:\Iassachusetts," as follows: "Sibley, John, adm. with wife, 
December 21, 1634. 5; mr. Sarah, who mr. Francis Chickering, 
(1) (3) John Bowles (1) died November 30, 1649. Issue, 
Sarah, mr. Francis Dwight. Estates: 4 acres planting ground; 
home 2 acres; 4 acres at Linefield; 1 acre at South Mead; 21/0 
acres cow common; 10 acres woods; 28 acres Waterfield." 
Of this Charlestown Sibley, Felt also says, "John Sibley, wnth 
Sarah, his wife, united with the church at Charlestown, Mas- 
sachusetts, December 21, 1634, and died at Charlestown, No- 
vember 30, 1.649. His name is spelled "Sibilie" in 1650, in 
the record of his estate." The inventory differs from that 
given by J. Langdon Sibley, as also does the record that 
John Sibley, of Charlestown, was married, and had issue, 
although tlieir names are not produced. In the inventory in 
the probate office, East Cambridge, are mentioned things other 
than are found in Wyman 's account, as, for instance, this en- 



19 

try, "Amies, a corslet, headpiece, sword and pike." This 
looks much like the costume of the "Hew-Agageiii-pieces" 
kind of men, who lived just before and during the Cromwel- 
lian times; men of the "Caput Rotundum," who always prayed 
before making a cavalry charge, then plunging, "with the 
high praises of God in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in 
their hands," dashed through the foe, and doxologized loud 
on the other side, shouting, "Such honor have all saints; 
Praise ye the Lord!" At any rate, it was the sort of stuff 
of which the stalwarts of yore were made; men who know 
how to take off the head of a king, demolish a throne, dis- 
miss the commons at will, clear the seas of pirates, and de- 
mand cessation of persecution against the Piedmontese, the 
guns of Cromwell threatened to pulverise the castle of St. 
Angelo. Of such stuff', doubtless, were the Ncav England 
Sibleys. 

Plainly, the Salem Sibley and the Charlestown Sibley are 
different persons. That they were of the same connection, 
there can be no doubt. That they crossed together, at the 
time of the "Winthrop Fleet," is admitted by all writers ex- 
cept Savage, whose doubt is based simply on the fact that he 
had not seen the original record. He does not question Felt's 
statement that "John Sibley, Salem, came over with Iliggin- 
son, 1629," but simply intimates that he has "not seen the 
evidence." He adds this, however, "John Siblej^, Charles- 
town, 1631, Avife, Sarah, freeman May 6, 1634, spelled with 
'e' in first syllable, died November 30, 1649." The evidence 
we have, therefore, is that of contemporary history, official 
records of churches, courts, and colony, and uncontradicted 
universal tradition. It is certain that two Sibleys are found 
as early as ]634, or within three years of 1630, the one at 
Charlestown, the other at Salem, both uniting with the church 
the same year, and one declared to be the sixteenth on the 
list of members in the first church at Salem, the earliest 
Protestant church in the New World. Official records furnish 
public notices of both. This, and facts that both were select- 
men so soon, land owners in many different places, prominent 
and influential in public affairs, argue their association with 
the 2,000 who came over in the fleet to make a "firm plant." 
And the universal tradition, uncontradicted for more than 
two and a half centuries, is more than enough to establish a 
claim, which, were its evidence applied to the investigation 
of an ancient title deed, would be deemed conclusive. The 
testimony of Prince, that some of the company made Salem 
their home, while others made Charlestown, is not without 
significance for our inquiry. The questions of importance 
are: (1) the relation of the Charlestown to the Salem Sibley, 



20 

(2) the inuncdiate links hotwoeii the English and American 
Sible.ys in lf)29, or even in 1634. To detect the immediate 
link that existed, in times of eivil Avar, disturbance of the 
archives, and exchange of an Old World for the Nevr, in a 
genealogy extending baek nine generations, is a work of spe- 
cial difficulty. Like difficult it is to detect the immediate link 
in the line, still backward among the St. Albans Sibleys, fifteen 
generations ago. That such links are recorded, somewhere, 
no reasonal)le antiquarian or archaeologist can doubt. 

That the "Salem Sibleys" are the blood progenitors of the 
"Sutton Sibleys," Massachusetts, is indisputable history, a 
history that rests npon the nniversal tradition and collateral 
proof that "John Sibley" of Salem crossed the high seas in 
the "Winthrop Fleet" 'of 1629. In the standard and pains- 
taking "History of Sutton," a large volume of rare interest. 
the record is made by official action of the "ToAvn of Sutton," 
thus: "The first Sibleys in this country came over from Eng- 
land in the fleet, A.D. 1629 — only 9 years after the settlement 
of old Plymouth, — and settled in the town of Salem. They 
are supposed to be brothers, and their names were John and 
Richard. They both had wives. They nnited with the church 
December 21, 1634, and John Sibley took the freeman's oath 
May 6, 1635. He was a selectman of the town of Salem and 
went to the general court at Boston. He died, 1661, leaving 
nine children, five daughters and four sons. His sons' names 
were: John, born March 4, 1648, a captain and selectman; 
AVilliam, born July 8, 1653; Joseph, born 1655; Samuel, born 
February 12, 1657; Joseph Sibley, the son of John was born 
1665. This Joseph was the father of the Sutton Sibleys, his 
Avife's name Avas Susanna. They had seven children, one 
danghter, Hannah. Avho married Ebenezer Dagett. Angust 10, 
1722. The sons Avere Joseph. John, Jonathan. Samuel. William, 
lienjamin. Three of these, Joseph, John and Jonathan, all 
brothers, Avere among the thirty families aa'Iio Avere entered 
as settlers in the 4.000 acres. Samuel's name appears, soon 
after, as occupying a place Avith Joseph, and, in the seating 
of the meeting house, in 1731, the names of William and Ben- 
jamin Sibley are found assigned to the fifth seat on the loAver 
floor." This clear record tells the story of the pioneer 
family, and reveals the Sutton ancestor of Henry Hastings 
Sibley, of St. Panl. That ancestor is Joseph Sibley, of Sutton, 
third son of John Sibley, of Salem, his Salem ancestor being 
scA'en generations distant from him. 

The toAvnship of Sutton, Avhere these six Sibley brothers 
began their pioneer work, was a tract of land eight miles 
square, embracing an Indian reservation bought from John 
Wampus by a company called the "Proprietors of Sutton," 



21 

and consisting of thirty families, pledged to improve the same. 
In 1704, or seventy-five years from the time (tf the " Winthrop 
Fleet," it was fonnded. The deed conveying the land is 
quaint enough. It passes the right and title to the 
thirty families, of which the Sibleys were six. "together with 
all and singular the pastures, soils, swamps, meadows, rivers, 
pools, ponds, woods and underwoods, trees, timber, stones, 
fishing, fowding and hunting rights, members, hereditaments, 
emoluments, profits, privileges, and appurtenances thereto be- 
longing or in any way appertaiiung; the same to be called 
Sutton; to have and to use and to hold, to exercise and en- 
joy; yielding to our sovereign lady. Queen Anne, and her 
successors, forever., one-fifth part of the fold, silver and 
precious stones, from time to time and at all times, which 
forever hereafter shall happen to be found, gotten, gained or 
obtained in any of said lands and premises, or witliin any 
part of parcel thereof, etc. Dated at Boston. .Alay 15th. in 
the year of her ^Majesty's reign. Anno Domini 1704: — 1. Dud- 
ley, Esq." Such the land, and the deed of the land, each 
bonafide settler and head of family having a "thirty-acre 
lot" and a "five hundred-acre right." Among the chief 
*' ponds" are mentioned "Dorothy pond," "Ramshorn pond," 
and "Crooked pond;" and among the chief caves, "the cav- 
ern commonly called 'Purgatory,' where the icicles hang from 
the crevices of the rocks, and even solid bodies of ice are 
found, although the descent is to the south ; a stupendous 
place that fills the mind of the beholder with exalted ideas 
of the infinite power of the Creator." 

Like the early Puritan stock, the Sibleys w^ere all a religious 
and God-fearing people, as w^ere the Whipples with whom 
their names are always associated. At the town meeting, 
whose government was simply that of selectmen, chosen by 
the people, it was "voated," IMarch 5. 1717, that "the carry- 
ing on of the worship of God and building a meeting house 
shall begin from this day, and twenty pounds be raised to be 
paid into the clerk's hands for that use," an enterprise 
prosecuted with vigor, the church edifice being completed 
within the following year, "40x36 feet, folding doors 
in front, lighted by two windows, of diamond glass, at 
each side and end of the lower floor, one of the same size for 
each end of the gallery, the seats ordinary benches, with 
hacks; the minister to receive a yearly salar^y, and a com- 
mittee to acquaint Mr. John McKinstree that the town has 
voted him a call to the ministry, and to ask his acceptance, 
and that he be ordained Wednesday, November 9, 1720." 
How thoroughly in earnest these Puritans were, with religion 
as the chief thing, and their "acres" of second importance, 



22 

the world knows. ''It coucerneth New England." says one^ 
"to always remember that it is a religious plantation, and 
not a commercial one. The profession of pure doctrine, wor- 
ship, and a godly discipline is written on her forehead. 
Worldly gain was not the end or design of the people of New 
England, but religion. If, therefore, any man among us 
shall make religion as twelve, and the world as thirteen, such 
a one hath not the spirit of a true New England man." Such 
was the tone not only at Chelmsford, where these words were 
spoken, but also at Sutton. In mui-als, the town of Sutton. 
under the rule of selectmen, such as the Sibleys and Whipples, 
seemed faultless. The only crime that appeared to disturb 
the conscience of the upright was the appalling outburst of 
luxury in connection with the town's increasing prosperity, 
as seen in the atrocious custom of "drinking tea with a silver 
spoon out of a china cup." It had already come to this in 
1720, that "the tradesman's wife sips tea. for an hour at a 
time, out of chinaware, morning and afternoon, and there is 
a silver spoon, silver trays, besides other trinkets; the chief 
blame falling on Madame Hall, who had the first tea-kettle 
ever brought to Sutton, and Deacon Pierce's wife, the second: 
holding a pint each ; and there has been no birth in our town 
for some time!" The times were changing. ]\Iarch 4, 1723. 
it was "voated," in view of the progress of the town, "to 
seat the meeting house so as to please the town," and also "to 
have respect to persons," especially inquiring "w^hat charges 
they now bear, and what they are likely to do in the future," 
a wordly compromise with those of the teapot and silver spoon 
brigade against which Mr. Jonathan Sibley deemed it his 
duty "to dissent." To appease the rising indignation, Mr. 
John Whipple and Mr. Sibley, with others, were made a 
"comitty" to consider the matter, dispose of the pews right- 
eously, assigning to each man his place, the pews not to be 
longer than four or five feet, nor deeper than about four, the 
"proper persons" to be seated therein. Upon the report of 
the "comitty" all things were satisfactorily adjusted, John 
Wliipple's pew being "5 foot 3 inches long and 5 foot 6 
inches deep;" Jonathan Sibley's "about the same," Joseph 
Sibley's "4 foot 3 inches long," and John Sibley's "3 foot 3 
inches long;" — and so the "aflares of the House of God 
were settled," the church commending the diligence and wis- 
dom of the "comitty." In view, however, of the dangerous 
tendency to luxury, fulness of bread, and pride, it was deemed 
"expedient that there be a day of fasting and prayer." The 
town continuing to prosper, and a rearrangement of seats again 
becoming necessary, and social relations having somewhat 
changed, another "comitty" was duly appointed, whose re- 



23 

port, although adopted, was apparently not as satisfactory, in 
all respects, as could, b^^ some, have been desired. It pro- 
vided that "In ye front seat shall sit Mr. Samuel Sible and 
six others. In ye fifth seat "William Sibly, Benjamin Sibly and 
four others. In ye second seat, in side galery, Joseph Sibly 
and ye widoes Rich and Stockwell. In ye fore seat, in ye 
front gallery, ye Widdoe Mary Sibly, by herself; and it is to 
be understood that all .ye wimmin that have husbands of their 
own are seated equal with their own husbands, in their own 
pews." 

If the pew system and its patrons required attention, not 
less, as even now is always the case, did the "music of the 
House of God" need special supervision. The young people, 
among whom were "Joseph, John, James, Elizabeth," and 
many other "Sibleys," were somewhat progressive in their 
tastes, and fond of "novelties." The worship, hoAvever, was 
simple and devout, the singing led by a precentor, the hymn 
or psalm being "lined out" that all might "take part in this 
important branch of divine service." The tunes were few 
and good, it being "voated that the old tunes, like old wine 
are ye better, and be studied and learnt, as Old Hundred and 
Canterbury, and that David Town and John Harl)ack be help- 
ful in this service, and don't set the tune called the 84th 
psalm which so luany are offended at; and the following tunes, 
Buckland, Bangor, Funeral Thought, New York, Little Marl- 
borough, Plymouth, St. IMartins. Colchester, Windsor, Am- 
herst, Trinity, and Aurora be sung, provided there be no ob- 
jection made?" Tradition relates that things went on har- 
moniously till, one Sunday, the old puritan blood got some- 
what the better of the grace that was in it. the singers run- 
ning a competing race while singing, with Deacon Tarrant 
while reading the hymn, both trying to see which of the two 
would first reach the end of the verse, both landing at the 
same goal, about the same time, the harmony not quite as 
Sabbatic as it should have been. The congregation were con- 
founded, and the pastor, Mr. Hall, standing up in the pulpit 
and saying "he had no hand in the matter," was replied to 
by the free remark of one who instantly rose in the audience, 
Baying "David Hall, you lie! Sail}', it's time for us to go 
home!" — the irate saint henceforth absenting himself from 
the stated means of grace. 

What prominence the Sibleys had in early New England 
history the records abundantly show. They appear foremost 
in every good work. As selectmen they seem to have been 
perpetuated in office through all their generations. As leaders 
in the church, they are not less eminent. Their names stand 
.among the founders of the church in Sutton. Their children 



24 

fire recorded as "themselves entering into covenant with God, 
their ])arents presenting theni for admission to the church."' 
It is Jonathan Sibk'v who is on "ye comitty" to build the 
church, and seat the people. It is Samuel Sibley who, with 
others, are to "vu the meeting house and. with Reverent Mr. 
Hall, join iti loaning out the ministerial land." It is Captain 
Joseph Sibley who "treets with ye ^Minister about ye Deficience 
in sallery." recommends "in vu of ye general run of Provis- 
ions and Clothing that we apprehend One Hundred and Fifty 
pounds." and "])ring ye sallery up to ye standard." and again 
sees "whether ye Town hath fulfiiletl its original agreement 
with ye minister Cording to ye true intent thereof." And as 
to beautifying the town, and providing a "public Parke" it 
is John Sibley Avho appears in the foregr'onnd. and. because of 
his love for aninuils and law-abiding character, it is "voated 
that John Sibley, Junr., be a nuui to take care of ye Dear in 
ve Provence that thev be not killed Contrarv to law." Everv- 

* « • « 

where in all matters of importance relating to the common 
weal, in church or state, in agriculture, commerce, education, 
law, finance, order, politics, religion, war or peace, the Sibleys 
stand out as foremost figures in the history of New England. 
Their name is "Legion." They swarm. Sutton is their hive. 
In West Sutton we find Rufus. Nathaniel, Frank, Freeman. 
Levious, Almon, Darius, ]\Ioses, Sarah, Aaron, Gideon Sibley. 
In the Putnam Hill district are Elijah, Daniel, Stephen, Tar- 
rant, Abner. Simeon. Elihu. Joseph, Jonathan, William, Ben- 
jamin, Samuel, Paul, Reuben, Francis, Nahum. Peter, Arthur, 
Timothy, Oliver, Hannah. Susanna, Huldah, Mary Sibley. In 
the "Eight Lots" district are Jonathan and Timothy. In the 
Centre district, Jonas, Jonas L.. Pierpong. John M., Gibbs. 
Nehemiah, Elijah, Caleb. Sylvester, Mary Ann. And all are 
interlaced and intermingled in a net work of intermarriages 
crossing and recrossing with the Putnams and Whipples, the 
Bigelows and Summers, the Pierponts and ^Morses, the Lelands 
end Wheelocks, the Tarrants and Baiu-rofts, the Dudleys and 
the Spragues, and, later down in the fiow of their generations, 
with the Wellses and Conklings, the Livingstons and Chases, 
and other influential families; a remarkable conection, found 
in almost every rank and profession of civilized life, artisans, 
farmers, merchants, business men of every description, minis- 
ters, elders, deacons, church wardens, rectors, canons, bankers, 
physicians, surgeons in the army, the navy, at the bar, on the 
bench, in academies and colleges, and in the halls of the Conti- 
nental and the late National Congress; graduates of Harvard, 
Yale, Union, Williams, Dartmouth and Princeton colleges. 
Traced through their affiliated lines, and their various connec- 
tions appear names of high distinction in the annals of several 



25 

states, cind of tlK^ nation; Captains Nathaniel and Jonathan, 
noted in Revolutionary times; Samuel Sibley, raising money 
"to relieve Boston and Charlestown suifering under the Boston 
Port Bill," and "reporting approval of what the Continental 
Congress had done;" Colonel Timothy Sibley, securing "five 
thousand pounds sterling," after the battles of Lexington and 
Concord, "to pay the Continental men sent to Rhode Island," 
and, after the close of the war, "incorporating his own estate, 
with those of others, into the First Congregational Society of 
Sutton;" Hon. Jonas Sibley, Jonas L. Sibley, Esq., "a man of 
fine presence, pre-eminently a public-spirited man. a true law- 
yer, with a docket of cases no less than eighty for a single 
term of court;" Hon. Mark H. Sibley, of Canandaigua, a man 
of rare national distinction; Hon. Sumner Cole, of Sutton; 
Rev. John Langdon Sibley, librarian of Harvard, and full of 
literary labor; Rev. J. AVillard Morse, of Sutton, "ojie of the 
finest of men, and ablest of preachers," a son of Huldah Sib- 
ley, "one of the noblest women of the West," and cousin of 
Henry Hastings Sibley; Chief Justice Solomon Sibley, of De- 
troit; the celebrated Dr. Henry Wells, "Henry of Montagae," 
a young graduate bearing away the honors of Princeton, re- 
honored at Yale and Dartmouth with two separate degrees ; 
the not less distinguished Dr. John Sibley, of Natchitoches, 
Louisiana; Oscar E. Sibley, of Albany, New York; the brilliant 
lawyer and monumental benefactor in the cause of education, 
Hiram Siblc}^, of Rochester, New York ; George E. Sibley, Esq., 
of New York City; Brevet Major General Caleb Sibley, of the 
United States army, a first cousin of Henry Hastings Sibley. 
To these must be added the names of Septumus Sibley, M.D., 
London, England; Hon. Henry Hopkins Sibley, of St. Louis, 
and Major General Henry Hopkins Sibley, of the Confederate 
army, with the distinguished name of Josiah Sibley, of Au- 
gusta, Georgia, at whose recent decease it was said, "He was 
one of those temperate, liberty-loving. God-fearing people 
whom they, who rise up after, call blessed; the leading elder 
in the First Presbyterian Church of Augusta, a man of vast 
wealth, large family, high public spirit ; among the most 
esteemed of Augusta's citizens, giving stability to all her 
enterprises, and whose name has been associated with Augus- 
ta's progress for nearly fifty vears, 'an honest man, the noblest 
work of God'." 

Nor are we to forget Richard Sibley, of New York, who 
married ]\Iary Wessels, 1744, and Richard Sibley, of Stamford, 
Connecticut, who married Mary Pett, of New York, 1792, both 
noted in their day. The names of Huldah, Elizabeth, Catherine 
Whipple, Sarah and Mary Ann, are among the shining ones 
in this vast connection. Many, indeed, occupied more humble 



26 

walks of life, but in whatever sphere, it is recorded as the 
"bright particular star" that beamed on the forehead of each, 
so far as tradition's tonfrne can speak, that "personal integrity- 
was the family characteristic of all the Sibleys, from the high- 
est to the lowest." The name "Sibley" became a "synonym 
for justice, honesty, and truth." not less than for "benevo- 
lence to men." "It has never been known," says the Rev. J. 
Langdou Sibley, "that any of our family Avere ever hanged, 
however much they might have deserved to be, nor to have 
been punished for any civil offense." 

How thoroughly l^iritanic this celebrated stock Avas, is seen 
ill the names transmitted to the children, generation after gen- 
eration. Adam, the great progenitor, we do not find. But 
among the antediluvians, Noah stands prominent as ever. 
Among the patriarchs are the three great stem-fathers of the 
Hebrew race, Abraham. Isaac and Jacob, and among the sons 
of Jacob we find Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Joseph and Benjamin. 
xVraong the prophets are Moses, Elijah, Joel, Amos, Jonas, 
Nathan, Nahum, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Ezekiel and Daniel. Among 
the old generals and judges, Joshua, Caleb, Barak, Gideon, 
Jephtha and Samuel. Among the kings, David, Solomon, 
Josiah, Hezekiah and David's friend, Jonathan. Among the 
old reformers and restorers, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Zerubbabel. 
Among the evangelists, Matthew and ]Mark : and among the 
apostles, Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Thomas, 
Nathaniel, Thaddeus, Paul ; with their helpers, Silas, Stephen, 
Timothy, Rufus. Nor less prominently do we find the names 
of Israel's women of renoAvn ; Sarah, Rachel, Hannah, Huldah, 
Tamar, Ruth, Naomi, Abigail, Azubah, Avith Esther, and Vashti, 
of Persian fame. Also, of Ncav Testament names, Mary, Mar- 
tha, Elizabeth, Anna. Joanna, Susanna, Lydia, Dorcas, Persis, 
Eunice, Priscilla, Phoebe. And not to be utterly restricted to 
Scripture names, avc find Scripture Avords used as names, Par- 
don Sibley, Experience Sibley, Temperance Sibley, Patience 
Sibley, and Prudence Sibley. And. in memory of distinguished 
family connections, avc read of John Pierpong. Sumner Cole, 
KdAvard Livingston, Franklin Sunnier, Alexander Hamilton, 
John Hopkins, John Whipple Sibley, etc., family nomenclature 
crowned with Darius, Alexander, Augustas and Horace, 
Archelaus and Pliny, Frederick and Oliver, Luther and Calvin. 
True to their environment, heredity, and genealogy, some 
curious stories are told by the Sibleys, reflecting no more the 
color of the times than the individuality of the persons, im- 
I)ossible to be of neutral hue. A stone Avail nine miles in cir- 
cumference is a monument to the untiring diligence of Cap- 
tain Samuel Sibley, of West Sutton, and his utilization of the 
streams of "Purgatory" for saAvmill purposes attests his 



07 



shrewd practical character. The roots of pond lilies, phmttnl 
by another, in Union, send forth their stalks and bloom to this 
day. The same love of beauty, however, was not without its 
sterner side. It is a well-authenticated fact that the very man 
who planted these lil}' roots, Jonathan Sibley, fourth son of 
Samuel and Sarah Sibley, of Sutton, "whipped his beer bar- 
rel because it worked on Sunday, and his eat because she 
caught a mouse when he was at prayers." While nothing is 
recorded as to what punishment was inflicted on those who 
frequented the spigot, or examined the bung, on the first day 
of the week, it is a breath of comfort, in our modern days of 
agitation upon the temperance question, to know that the 
original Pilgrims and children of the Puritans gave to the 
"beer barrel," at least, a sound trouncing for its Sunda^^ trans- 
gressions, and that even mice were not exempt from accounta- 
bility to Colonial Laws. It is related, further, concerning the 
same Sibley, that, when married to Sarah Dow, himself short 
of stature, his bride tall beyond ordinary height, "he stood 
upon a wooden oven lid," in order to overcome the inequality 
between them, and secure the tying of the knot more firmly. 
The length of his bride, was, moreover, of great advantage in 
the days of their pioneer life. Accustomed to carry, on horse- 
back, his corn to the mill, nine miles distant, and bring his 
salt from Exeter, — his nearest neighbors three miles away, — 
his practice was to secure the courtesy of Mr. Benjamin Per- 
kins, as protector of his wife in "keeping the bears off the 
corn patch," during his absence. It happened one moonlight 
night, "fair Cynthia smiling over Nature's soft repose," that 
a terible crash was suddenly heard in the corn-stalks. Leav- 
ing her four children, and calling Perkins to her aid, Mrs. 
Sibley hastended to the scene of depredation, Perkins firing 
his gun, and wounding but not disabling the bear. With long- 
stepping motion, swiftly pursuing the game, "she caught the 
bear, at last, by the hind leg, as he was climbing over a log 
and "held on," with the grip of a tar at the ship's rope, until 
Perkins came up and dispatched the animal by "cutting his 
throat with a jack-knife." Such brides and mothers are rare 
in our times. It is also stated that "the last wig" worn in 
Sutton was worn by Colonel Timothy Sibley, A.D. 1800. 

The wife of Samuel Sibley, son of the first John Sibley, of 
Salem, 1692. was clearly a devout woman, yet of a keen inven- 
tive genius and withal deeply interested in devising some 
means whereby to detect "witches," whose love of Salem as a 
place for their equestrain broomstick aerial performances was 
proverbial. "She lived in that unhappy village," says her pas- 
tor. The Rev. Mr. Paris, "where she raised the devil by advis- 
ing John, an Indian, how to make 'cake'." It seems the cake 



! r 



28 

was made — perhaps ratlier indigestible — a part of wliicli Mrs. 
Sibley (Sister Mary) sent, in kindness, to the pastor's man- 
sion. The result was, according to the pastor's testimony, that 
the whole village was "immediately and sorely vexed with the 
Devil, and amazing feats were done by witchcraft and diaboli- 
cal operations; na}'. it never broke forth to any consider- 
able extent until by this cake-making under the direction of 
our sister Mary; since which time apparitions have been exceed- 
ing much; so that, by this means, the Devil hath been raised 
among us, and when he shall be silenced the Lord only knows; 
and that our dear sister should have been instrumental in 
such distress grieveth us much, and our godly neighbors." As 
a matter of course, Sister Sibley was "suspended from the 
communion of the church," because she taught Indian John 
how to make cake. "But. inasmuch as our honored sister doth 
truly fear the Lord, and did what she did ignorantly, and 
while we are in duty bound to protest against this cake-mak- 
ing as being indeed a going to the Devil for help against the 
Devil — a thing contrary to nature and God's work — we do, nev- 
ertheless, continue her in our holy fellowship, upon her serious 
promise of future better advisedness and caution." So Sister 
Mary's case was happily terminated. "Brethren," said the 
pastor to the church, at the close of the Sacrament, on the 
Lord's day, "if this be your mind, manifest it now, by the 
usual sign of lifting up your hands. The brethren voted uni- 
versally. Then the pastor said, Sister Sibley, if you are con- 
vinced that you herein did sinfully, and are sorry for it, just 
let us hear now a word from your own mouth. And Sister 
Sibley did manifest sweetly to the satisfaction of all, her 
error and grief for the same. Brethren, if you are satisfied, 
continued the pastor, just testify by lifting your hands. And 
a universal vote was had, none excepting." 

In our days of modern progress and religious culture, we 
alTect indignation and greet with contempt what we call the 
"superstitions of the Puritans." It would be more to our 
credit, could we ever attain to their downright earnestness in 
religion, fear of God, and respect for his word, notwithstand- 
ing their mistakes in many things. In language the most ex- 
press he had legislated, saying, "Thou shalt not suffer a witch 
to live," Exod. 22:18. He sent a king of Israel into fetters 
and a dungeon, because he "used witchcraft and dealt with a 
familiar spirit, and with a wizard," 2 Chron. 38:6, that 
"sorcery" and "witchcraft" which an apostle has placed 
among the "works of the flesh," and whose doom is "the 
lake of fire." Gal. 5:20, Rev. 21:8. Before condemning the 
Puritans too roundly, it were well to remember that, not only 
the Witch of Endor, the Gadarene demoniac, and the Pytho- 



29 

ness who followed Paul, and ancient history, sacred and pro- 
fane attest the reality of the commerce of "evil spirits" with 
mankind, but that, from the fifteenth to the seventeenth cen- 
tury, their influence overspread all Europe. Already, in 1317, 
Pope John XXII. complained that his courtiers had "made a 
compact with hell, demanding of the demons speech and 
answer." Papal bulls were issued in 1404, 1448, against "the 
increase of sorcery, and seeking to the dead." In the fifteenth 
century, not only the Maid of Orleans was burned as a witch, 
by order of the Earl of Bedford, but 100,000 in Germany, 
1,500 in Switzerland, 1,000 at Como, and 900 females at Lor- 
raine, suffered at the hands of the executioner, for witch- 
craft, the jails being insufficient to hold, and the judges too 
few to try them. In the sixteenth century, Bishop Jewell ap- 
pealed to Queen Elizabeth to enforce the laws, severe as they 
were. No less than 30,000 were executed in England, among 
whom were the Maid of Kent, the Duke of Buckingham, the 
Duchess of Gloucester, and Lord Hungerford. Bibles were 
I)urned as a pledge of fealty to the new faith, and the truths 
of Christianity began to be rejected as irreconcileable with 
the new revelations made. It was the same influence that 
afflicted the Puritans of the seventeenth century, the demonic 
spiritism that afflicts our own age, to an extent not realized, 
a form of satanic manifestation of which it was predicted, 
that, "in the last times, some shall depart from the faith, 
giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of demons, 
speaking lies, in hypocrisy," I. Tim., 4:1. Witchcraft is no 
unsolved phenomenon, and modern media conversing with 
"the spirits of the dead," are but the reappearance "of Bessie 
Dunlop interviewing Thomas Reid. killed in battle, and of 
Miss Throgmorton speaking with Pluck Hardman, deceased." 
We must give the Puritans the benefit of this. The Salem 
pastor, were he living, would rebuke our modern necromanc- 
ing with familiar spirits. As for "Sister Mary," her awful 
crime was that of teaching Indian John how to make cake, 
wholly indigestible. That was certainly an atrocious offense, 
more due, however, to the character of the ingredients, the 
condition of the fire, or want of experience, than to the im- 
mediate influence of Satan, and all historians of the circum- 
stance rejoice at her escape so easily, from a sentence which 
only was averted by the goodness of those whose love of jus- 
tice and tenderness of heart were equal to their fear of God 
and hatred of the Devil. Say what we may of these God- 
fearing men and cake-making women, who whipped their 
beer casks for working on Sunday and punished their cats 
for catching mice during prayer, and "raised the Devil in 
Salem," they were yet the stock whose offsprings were the 



30 

founders of our institutions, and bulwark of our civil and 
religious liberties, and whose descendants now tread the con- 
tinent from the Atlantic to Pacific, and from the Southern 
Gulf to the Frozen Zone. It was of them Berkeley sang in 
his ode on the "Planting of Arts and Learning in America;" 
a race of men 

"Not such as Europe breeds in her decay, 
But as she bred when fresh and young, 

When heavenly flame did animate her clay, 
By future ages to be sung. 

"Westward the course of empire takes its way. 

The first four acts already past, 
A fifth shall close the drama of the day, 

Time's noblest offspring is the last." 

The Sibleys have a proud record in Colonial and Revolu- 
tionary times. In civil life, they appear continuously as 
selectmen, assessors, moderators of council, lawyers, repre- 
sentatives and physicians in one unbroken stream, ever widen- 
ing and deepening as it flows to the present day. In military 
life thej^ seem to be ubiquitous, holding every rank, from tlie 
lowest to the highest, save that of supreme commander of 
the forces of the nation : private, drummer-boy, ensign, cor- 
poral, sergeant, captain, major, lieutenant, colonel, general, 
major-general, promoted, brevetted and praised by legisla- 
ture and by Congress for their meritorious service. From 
1755 to 1761 we find the names of Ensign Jonathan, Drum- 
merboy Elijah, Captain John, Captain James, the son-in-law 
of the renowned General Israel Putnam, and Privates John, 
Jonathan, Elihu, David, Joseph, Sr., Joseph, Jr., father and 
son, side by side with shouldered musket in the same com- 
pany. William, Sr., William, Jr., Stephen, Jonas, Samuel, 
Henry and Frank. In the Revolutionary Army is Captain 
Nathaniel, Captain Jonathan, Captain Solomon, Corporal 
David, Colonel Timothy and Privates Daniel, David, Richard, 
Stephen, John, William, Joseph, Abner, and others too many 
to name. Among the "Minute Men," who marched "on the 
Alarm" from Sutton to Concord, August 19, 1775, when 
Putnum left his plow in the furrow, and Paul Revere struck 
fire from the hoofs of his bounding steed, and the "first 
blood for independence" was shed, were Joseph, Daniel, 
Elihu, Gideon, Peter, Samuel, Tarrant, William, Jonathan, 
John, At Ticonderoga they fought under Colonel Jonathan 
Holmes of the Fifth IMassachusetts, brother-in-law of Joseph 
Sibley. From the days of the infamous "Stamp Act," 1764, 



31 

passed by Parliament to tax unrepresented men for revenue, 
and support the crown in its purpose to oppress, down to the 
time of the "Boston Port Bill," and thence to tlie close of the 
war for independence, the Sibleys were among the first, in 
the ranks of the army, on the sea, in colonial councils, and 
in the Continental Congress, battling for freedom, serving 
their country, enduring all manner of self-sacrifice, and earn- 
ing a name that will not pass away. 







Y 



PAMT EL 




HELEY 



History of Josiah Sibley, Joel Sibley and Stephen Sibley 
of Revolutionary War to landing of John Sibley at 
Salem, Mass. 1661. 

The first Sibleys in this country came over from England 
in the fleet, in A. D. 1629, only nine years after the settle- 
ment of Old Plymouth, and settled in the town of Salem, 
Massachusetts. They were supposed to be brothers, and their 
names were John and Richard. They both had wives. They 
united with the church at Charlestown, December 21, 1634, and 
John Sibley took the freeman's oath May 6, 1635. He was a 
Selectman of the town of Salem and went to the general court 
at Boston. He died in Manchester, 1661, leaving nine children — 
five daughters and four sons. His sons' names are: John, 
born March 4, 1648, was a captain, selectman, etc. ; William, 
born July 8, 1653, was a yeoman, butcher, etc.; Joseph, born 
1655, was a fisherman; Samuel, born February 12, 1657. His 
wife's name was Mary of Salem. 

Joseph Sibley, the son of John, who was born in 1655, on 
his return from a fishing voyage, was impressed on board a 
British frigate, put to hard service for seven weeks, then re- 
leased and sent home. This Joseph Sibley was the father ot 
the Sutton Sibleys. His wife's name was Susanna. They had 
seven children — one daughter and six sons — viz. : Joseph III, 
John III, Jonathan III, Samuel III, William III, Benjamin 
III, and Hannah, who married Ebenezer Dagget, August 10, 
1722. 

All these brothers settled in this town ; three of these : 
Joseph, John and Jonathan, were among the thirty families 
who were entered as settlers in the four thousand acres. 
Samuel's name appears soon after as occupying a place with 
Joseph. In the seating of the meeting house in 1736 the names 
of William and Benjamin Sibley are found as assigned to the 
fifth seat on the lower floor. 

Stephen Sibley V, (John IV, John III, Joseph II, and John I) 
went to Rutland about 1792, and purchased the farm owned 
by General Rufus Putnam. He was a soldier in the Revolu- 
tionary war, and was at the taking of Burgoyne, in 1777. Very 
little is known of Benjamin, or of his descendants. 



38 

Of Joseph, one of the original six brothers, very little is 
known. Plis name is entered as one of the thirty proprietors 
of the fonr thousand acres, owning "lot 7 in the eight lots." 
He probably left Sutton at an early date. 
— :>-.Stephen Sibley V, in Colonel Jonathan Holman's regiment, 
known as the "Sutton Regiment," had a very severe and long- 
continued service of nearly two years, during which it was 
engaged. in many battles w4tli the enemy, and finally, if we 
accept the evidence of a high British authority, in the great 
^^ ' decisive battle of the w^ar — the battle of Saratoga. This regi- 

ment returns, made September 11. 1776 is found in Force's 
Archives, fifth series, volumn two, page 327 of the Army in 
the Service of the United States, this regiment was ordered 
to join the army of General Gates, then massed near Sara- 
toga. In the battle that ensued. Colonel Holman's regiment 
Avas actively engaged, and that they acquitted themselves 
bravely may be justly inferred from the fact that after the 
battle this regiment was designated "to take possession of 
Fort Edward and to hold it, until the dispersion of Burgoyne's 
army," which they did. The regiment was then honorably 
discharged and the men returned to their homes. The sur- 
render of Burgoyne and his whole army, virtually ended the 
war in New England. 

Colonel Holman was born in 1732, and was 43 years of age 
when the Revolutionary war broke out. He embraced the war 
freedom, with great ardor. He had been in the British ser- 
vice during the French war. He married for his first wife, 
Hannah Sibley of Uxbridge, Mass., sister of Stephen Sibley V, 
bv whom he had six sons and three daughters. — Extracts from 
History of Sutton, 1704-1876; pages 717. 718, 724, 726, 721, 
773, 775 and 785. 

Stephen Sibley was the brother-in-law^ of Colonel Holman, 
who not only devoted his services, but much of his fortune to 
the Revolutionary cause, and is the father of Joel Sibley, 
born April 25th, 1766, who is the father of Josiah Sibley, born 
April 1, 1808, the subject of this sketch. The family feature, 
generally speaking, of all the Sibleys, is blue eyes, including 
the ninth lineal descendants of John I, with the exception of 
Robert Pendleton Sibley's children, only one of whom. Profes- 
sor Rol)ert Sibley, of Montana, has blue eyes. Neither do we 
find where a Sibley was divorced. 



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Biographical Sketch of the Late Josiah Sibley, Born at Ux- 
bridge, Massachusetts, April 1st, 1808 — Died at Augusta, 
Georgia, December 7th, 1888— By Boiling Sibley, of Mem- 
phis Tenn., Grandson of Josiah Sibley. 

As will be seen from the chapter on the origin of the Sibley 
family, the first Sibleys to settle in America were John Sibley 
and his brother, Richard Sibley, who were born at or near 
St. Albans in Hertfordshire, England, and were among the 
early settlers of New England. In 1629 the ''Winthrop Fleet" 
set sail from England, carrying a large number of the best 
and most sturdy men of that day who were the earliest set- 
tlers of Massachusetts. From these early settlers have de- 
scended some of America's greatest men. These settlers were 
for the most part men and women of distinction, and above 
all a God fearing and an upright people. 

Among this distinguished company were the two Sibley 
brothers (John and Richard) mentioned above. These broth- 
ers settled at Naumkeag (Salem), Massachusetts, in 1629. 

John Sibley died in 1661, leaving nine children. There was 
a John Sibley, born September 18, 1689. This John had a son 
(born November 13th, 1714) named John, who had a son (born 
at Sutton, Mass., July 12, 1741) and named Stephen. Stephen 
had a son named Joel, who was born at Grafton, Mass., April 
25th, 1766, and died at Grafton, Mass., April 10th, 1839. 
This Joel was the father of Josiah Sibley, of Augusta, Geor- 
gia, the subject of this sketch, who was born April 1st, 1808, 
at Uxbridge, Mass., being the seventh in lineal descent from 
John of Salem. His mother was Lois, a daughter of Colonel 
Ezekiel Wood, of Uxbridge, Mass. Josiah was the third of 
four sons (Royal, Amorj^ Josiah and George.) Until 1821 
Josiah lived with his parents in Uxbridge. His early educa- 
tion was acquired in the district school of his native town. 

In the year 1821, when only thirteen years of age, he left 
the parental roof and began life's battle at this tender age, 
joining his brothers, Amory and Royal, who sometime prior 
to this had located in Augusta, Georgia. His first employ- 
ment was a clerk in his brother's store. His compensation 
was small, being his board and clothes and whatever he could 
realize in cash from the sale of fishing tackle and pocket 
knives. Later he was permitted to deal in oranges and ap- 
propriate to his own use whatever pecuniary profits might 
accrue from the sale of this fruit. The dealings begun in this 



42 

modest way developed in after years to large and profitable 
transactions covering the staple commodities of this region. 
When he located in Augusta, Ga., it was a frontier town of 
six thousand inhabitants. Its trade, however, exceeded what 
might have been expected from a town of that size. Royal 
Sibley dying in 1822, Josiah continued with his ])rother Amory 
until 1828, when he was admitted into partnership with him, 
to begin business as A. & J. Sibley, Hamburg, S. C. One 
year thereafter he purchased his brother's Amory 's interest 
in the busines for the sum of ten thousaiul dollars. This was 
a wholesale and retail merchandising house, doing a cott(jn 
business in addition, and was located in Hamburg, S. C, across 
the river from Augusta. Hamburg was a thriving town in 
those days, being the terminus of the South Carolina railroad. 
Taking advantage of the situation he transacted for several 
years a large and lucrative business at that i)oiiit. In 1853 
he admitted into partnership with himself his eldest son, 
William C. Sibley-. The firm was then known as J. Sibley & 
Son. In 1855, the town of Plamburg being on a decline, the 
firm moved to Augusta. In 1857 his son Samuel H. Sibley 
was admitted and the name changed to Josiah Sibley & Sons. 

As they respectively attained their manhood, George and 
Robert (sons of Josiah Sibley) were successively admitted to 
the firm. The firm was for a time known as Josiah Sibley 
& Sons, and later, when William C. Sibley withdrew and 
removed to New Orleans, it was J. Sibley & Sons. 

The firm did a large and profitable cotton business. No 
mercantile house in Augusta stood in higher repute. By none 
were more important commercial transactions conducted. 

Although the subject of this sketch came from a long line 
of New England ancestry, and although he voted in 1861 
against secession, he gave the Confederacy his best moral and 
financial support. The Mechanics Bank of Augusta, Ga., of 
which he was a director, became a Confederate States depos- 
itory and, after the war closed, he had to redeem $90,000 of 
bank bills for $30,000 stock he owned in the bank. 

He foresaw that the Confederacy could not succeed, but, 
notwithstanding this, he encouraged his five sons to volunteer 
in the Confederate army, and later, when those entering the 
evening of life were called upon to defend their firesides, he 
enlisted for the defense of Augusta. At the outlireak of the 
civil war, with wonderful business foresight, his firm, Josiah 
Sibley & Sons, chartered a sailing vessel and shipped 1,200 
bales of cotton to England, instructing his British agents, 
Guion & Co., and Baring Bros., to hold an accounting of the 
shipment until the close of the war. 



43 

As stated above, his five sons (William, " Henry- Josiah," 
Samuel, George and Robert) volunteered in the Confederate 
army. William was a member of Oglethorpe Infantry, and 
afterwards Commissary for General John K. Jackson's bri- 
gade. Henry Josiah, joined the Clinch Rifles; at the evacua- 
tion of Atlanta, in attempting to save a comrade's baggage, 
he fell from the top of the train and sustained such serious 
injuries that he died on the fourth day afterwards. Samuel 
at first volunteered with the Georgia Light Guards; later he 
became a member of Cobb's Legion of Hampton's division, 
stationed in Virginia. 

George R. was Assistant Quartermaster in Heath's division 
of General Kirby Smith's command in Kentucky and Ten- 
nessee. 

Robert P., on March 9th, 1864, being just sixteen years of 
age, became a member of the Augusta Volunteer Artillery. 
This battery was better known as "Barnes Battery of Artil- 
lery. ' ' 

In 1864 the Charlotte, Columbia and Augusta railroad was 
incorporated and Josiah Sibley became a life long director. 
He was also one of the earliest directors of the Port Royal 
and Augusta railroad, and for years prior to his death was 
a director of the Georgia Railroad and Banking Company. 

The Sibley Manufacturing Company, one of the largest 
and handsomest cotton mills in the South, was organized in 
May, 1880. The promoters of this enterprise called on him 
and requested that this factory be named in his honor, be- 
lieving if it became known that he was interested in the un- 
dertaking the six hundred thousand dollars capital (which 
was afterwards increased to one million) could be more easily 
raised. His son William was made president, being also 
president of the Langley Manufacturing Company, of Lang- 
ley, S. C. (Near Augusta). He and his son William were also 
the foremost promoters in the Langley Mill. Josiah was also 
a director in the Iron Steamboat Compan}^, whose boats plied 
the Savannah River. He was also the prime mover in many 
other enterprises. His counsel and advice were often sought. 
In 1865, when the City of Augusta was in need of financial 
assistance, he, acting under authority of the City Council, 
went to New York and borrowed one hundred thousand dol- 
lars for the City at a reasonable rate of interest. 

He was one of the few men in Augusta in 1865 and 1866 
who could and did sell his check at par on New York for 
sums as high as one hundred thousand dollars. 

In 1874 he retired from active business. After that time 
until his death in December, 1888, he gave his personal atten- 
tion to the management of his large estate. Besides being 



44 

largely interested in numerous corporations, he left large tracts 
of land, having forty-four thousand acres in Georgia and six 
thousand acres in Ohio, besides other real estate in small 
amounts. As wo liave seen from the foregoing, he began life 
with practically nothing, yet he was a man of so much busi- 
ness capacity and frugality that his executors have since his 
death divided among his heirs something like four hundred 
thousand dollars. 

We have covered the business career of our subject and 
will next take up his domestic and religious side. Josiah was 
twice married. On July 25th, 1831, he married Miss Sarah 
Ann Crapon, daughter of William (merchant) and Hannah 
Crapon, of Providence, Rhode Island. Eleven children were 
the fruit of this marriage, viz. : William Crapon, born May 
3, 1832, died April 17th, 1902 ; Henry Josiah, l3orn November 
19th, 1833, died July 25th, 1864; Samuel Hale, born Septem- 
ber 9th, 1835, died December, 1884; Sophia Matilda, born 
October 16th, 1837, died 1897; George Royal, born July 19, 
1839, died July 1887; Fannie Maria, born October 13, 1841, 
died December 20, 1842; Mary Lois, born September 3, 1843, 
died February 23, 1864; Alice Maria ,born February 9, 1846; 
died July, 1907; Robert Pendleton, born February 17, 1848; 
Amory Walter, born June 19, 1852, died July 28th, 1899; 
Caroline Crapon, born Februarv 21, 1850, died November 
16, 1858. 

Josiah 's second wife was a daughter of Gilbert Longstreet — 
Miss Emma Eve Lonstreet — of Richmond county, Georgia, to 
whom he was married August 4, 1860. To them were born 
four children : John Adams, born September 1, 1861 ; James 
Longstreet, born August 4, 1863; Mary Bones, born IMarch 
29, 1865; Emma Josephine, born February 23, 1867. 

Josiah was a kind and affectionate husband and father. 
His chief aim in life seems to have been making those around 
him happy. His family, though large, was given every ad- 
vantage. In 1879 he made a tour through Europe, being ac- 
companied by his wife and five of his children. On Christ- 
mas and other occasions he would have his sons and daughters, 
nieces and nephews and their husbands and wives and chil- 
dren assemble at his home, corner Bay and Elbert streets, in 
Augusta, and the event was always a most notable one. On 
Christmas he would have his numerous grandchildren (under 
eighteen years of age) sit on a large joggling board, and each 
was presented with a silver dollar and a package of fire crack- 
ers as his ])ersonal gift. 

In 1859 he gave his heart to God and united with the Pres- 
byterian Church in Augusta, and was a consecrated Chris- 
tian the remainder of his life. When the Second Presbyterian 



45 

Church of Augusta was organized, he gave his support to it 
and in later years voluntarily cancelled a mortgage of several 
thousand dollars held by him on the church property. He 
served as an elder in both of these churches. 

His sterling integrity, kind and gentle disposition and his 
love for God and his fellow-man were an inspiration for all 
who knew him. He was a leader in the religious and charit- 
able organizations of Augusta. The distinguishing traits of 
character were absolute integrity, inflexible honesty, tireless 
industry, and generous philanthropy. His influence was 
always on the side of justice and right, and he left an in- 
delible impression on his family and his fellow citizens. 
Although it has been a score of years since his death, the in- 
fluence of his majestic character still lingers among his de- 
scendants and friends. He truly left his impress for good 
upon his own and succeeding generations. It was said of him 
shortly after his decease by a distinguished friend who knew 
him intimately for many years, "In his domestic relations, in 
his intercourse with his fellow man, in his business transac- 
tions, and in his association with church and community, Mr. 
Sibley's conduct was marked by purity, probity, liberality, 
public spirit, and Christian integrity. He was emphatically 
a just, an honest, an influential and a God fearing man." 

The subject of this sketch appears to be the first Josiah 
named as a descendant of John Sibley, landed at Salem, Mass., 
1629. 



MR. JOSIAH SIBLEY. 
A Handsome Tribute to the Memory of an Honored Citizen. 



The session of the Second Presbyterian Church has adopted 
resolutions embodvinff a handsome tribute to the memory of 
the late ]\Ir. Josiah Sibley. He was an honorable and honored 
citizen of Augusta, and a valuable and valued officer in the 
Second Presbyterian Church. 

The resolutions are as follows: 

"WHEREAS, It has pleased our Heavenly Father to trans- 
late from the labors of the church on earth and the sufferings 
of this life to the fellowship and rest of the saints in heaven 
Mr. Josiah Sibley, on the 7th of December, 1888, in the 81st 
year of this life, and 

"WHEREAS, We desire to place on record our esteem for 
his life and labors, 

"Resolved, That in his life and death has been fulfiilled 
the word of God, which saith : 'Thou shalt come to thy grave 
in a full age : like as a shock of corn cometh in his season. ' 
Job 2:26. 

" 'The hoary head is a crown of glory if it be found in the 
way of righteousness.' Prov. 16:31. 

" 'The memory of the just is blessed.' Prov. 7:31. 
" 'The righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance.' 
Paul 112:6. 

"2. That we recognize in Mr. Sibley a man of pure life, 
staunch integrity, and an amiable disposition, a citizen w^ho 
was an honor to this, his adopted city, who ever held near his 
heart its welfare, and who constantly prayed, labored and 
hoped for its material advancement; 

"A Christian gentleman in whom there was no guile; 

"An elder in the church of Christ, trusted and beloved, 
ever faithful in the discharge of every duty devolved upon 
him as an officer called to bear rule in God's house, and zeal- 
ous for the advancement of the Presbyterian church, but al- 
ways rejoicing in the welfare of Christ's kingdom in every 
denomination. 

"3. That we cheerfully bear our testimony to his ardent 
love, zealous labors, and liberal gifts in behalf of the Second 
Presbyterian Church, and to his firm faith, and godly but 



47 

unostentatious walk in our midst. We feel this church has 
sustained a heavy loss in his death, and we have need to pray 
with the Psalmist : ' Help, Lord, for the godly man ceaseth ; 
for the faithful fail from among the children of men.' Ps. 
112:1. 

"4:. That while we bow into submission to the King and 
Head of the church, we also give thanks for the grace that 
enabled him so to live that, in all the relations of life, he set 
us an humble, pious and godly example that is worthy of 
imitation. 

"5. That a page in our sessional records be set apart to 
his memory, these resolutions be spread upon the minutes, 
and a copy sent to the family and offered to the city papers 
and The Christian Observer for publication. 
"By order of the Session, 

''T. M. LOWRY, Pastor. 
''C. A. ROWLAND, Clerk of Session. 
"December 16, 1888." 







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io5tvi() ^iMc1^<l^il^ 



A'i:HlInri)ant.a vl'hri Lilian 0')ciillcmau 







<Oiic 111 it', most C)oiuntii anii (Tni'^iuuirllni Uttiu-n-j 



^■''"vUliiTil- 




Telegrams received at the Josiah Sibley 
Centennial Celebration. 



At 11:38 a.m., Missoula, Mont., 4-1-08.— Mrs. Albert Gard- 
ner, "Cottage Hill," Marietta, Ga. — Montana contingent sends 
love, best wishes to all the family. 

ROBERT, CATHERINE AND ELIZABETH SIBLEY. 

Augusta, Ga., April 1, 1908.— Mrs. A. S. J. Gardner, Mari- 
etta, Ga., Here's to the memory of my Grandfather. It is as 
strong and fresh with me today as was my love for him in 
life. May we emulate his many virtues. 

MACPHERSON B. WILLIAMS. 

7:40 p.m., Glendora, Cal., April 1st, 1908.— Mr. R. P. Sib- 
ley, Care A. S. J. Gardner, Marietta, Ga. — Mother, sister, 
Adeline, and myself send greetings this Family day. 

JOSIAH SIBLEY. 

April 1st, 1908. — Birmingham, Ala. — Mrs. A. S. J. Gardner, 
Marietta, Ga. — Owing to Grace's sickness she and I regret 
being unable to attend father's centennial. 

MRS. JANE E. SIBLEY. 



The Celebration of Mr. Josiah Sibley's Birthday. 

By JENNIE HART SIBLEY. 



The ceh^bration of Mr. Josiah Sibley's centennial birthday, 
April 1st, 1908, at his former snmmer home, "Cottage Hill," 
Marietta, Ga., was the occasion of a delightful family gather- 
ing. It was a happy thought that came to the fertile brain 
of Prof. James L. Sibley, one of the grandsons, in suggesting 
this Juliilee Memorial, and the ever responsive devoted 
daughter j\Iary — ]\Irs. A. S. J. Gardner — after some consulta- 
tion with others, immediately chrystalized the idea and 
sounded the tocsin — calling the loyal clans, his lineal descend- 
ants from the North, from the South, from the Atlantic to 
the Pacific to meet in reunion, to reverence and give praise 
to the name of Father. Grandfather, Great-grandfather and 
Great-great-grandfather; yea, from the first to the fourth 
generation. 

The occasion was so rare and the pleasure experienced by 
those in attendance so exquisite, it was a matter of much 
regret that distance, family cares, and illness prevented a 
full reunion; there being present only twenty out of a family 
of one hundred and ten — sons and daughters, natural and 
in-law — of the two sets of children of the first generation, 
which at one time numbered fifteen. Today only five remain. 
Of these Mr. Robert Pendleton Sibley, of the first set of chil- 
dren ; James Longstreet Sibley, Mary Sibley-Gardner, Josie 
Sibley-Cooper and John Adams Sibley, of the second set. All 
were present save the last, who Avas away in old ]\Iexico; but 
was represented by his son. Prof. James L. Sibley, more 
recently of the Philippines. Alice (Mrs. W. T. Williams) 
deceased, a daughter of the first set of children, was charm- 
ingly represented by her daughter Emma — Mrs. John Harper 
Davison. The second son among the first set of children, 
Samuel Hale Sibley (deceased), was represented by his wife, 
Jennie Hart, and their two sons, Samuel Hale Sibley, Jr., and 
James llar-t Si])ley. Among those present were Albert S. J. 
Gardner, liusband of IMary, and IMattie Erwin Sibley, wife of 
James L. Sibley, with their sons Josiah Sibley and William 
C. Sibley, as well as Constance Couper, daughter of Josie Sib- 
ley-Conper. 

Many are the memories that cluster about "Cottage Hill." 
Some historic, some sad, and many joyous. All these com- 



53 

bined make an ideal spot — a complete background for the 
setting of this delightful day of social and joyous reunion, 
freed from formality of any kind whatsoever. Whilst old 
"Cottage Hill" has undergone an entire renovation — in fact 
it is a new and beautiful structure — its old battle-scarred 
portals still do duty in swinging wide its door in the lavish 
hospitality of its incumbents — Mr. and ]\Irs. A. S. J. Gardner 
and their four lovely children, Emma, Charlie, Jordan and 
Lois, as was evidenced in the Jubilee feast on this occasion; 
which, it may be truly said, was indeed peerless, baronial in 
abundance, beautiful in appointment, and every viand tooth- 
some and delicious, prepared by the masterly hand of the old 
cook "Aunt" Ophelia. Recounting the pleasures of the past, 
visiting the old familiar places, calling up memories of the 
loved and lost, this long happy day was nearing its close : the 
sun, sinking behind old Kennesaw, and in the western glow 
long golden fingers of light pointed across the fields, through 
the tree tops and stole up through the parted lace curtains 
of the great hall, to a picture, a family circle, illuminating in 
it a benign lovely face that beamed out from the canvas, and 
gilding each bent head in this sacred hour of thanksgiving 
and praise to God for the gift of this our father and his rich 
life that now falls in blessings on his descendants. These 
services were conducted by James Hart Sibley. He read from 
the XXI Chapter of Revelations those beautiful words de- 
scriptive of the home-going of the church, Avhere there will 
be no need of the sun "for the Lamb is the light thereof," 
and where there will be no more parting, for God will wipe 
away all sorrow and tears from our eyes with a napkin of 
love. The closing prayer was touching, earliest, and beautiful. 
We would that its burning words might have been perpetu- 
ated. Then followed Judge Samuel Hale Sibley in a brief 
life sketch of his Grandfather from data furnished by a 
granddaughter, ilary Sibley, ^Irs. Oswell R. Eve, which 
sketch will be herewith given. In the interval remaining was 
held a symposium, each child giving his first impressions and 
recollections of Father and Grandfather. 

The sun had sunk to sleep and the candles were lit — we hied 
to the banquet hall, where for two hours a "feast of reason 
and fiow of good cheer" reigned supreme. After which in 
the great hall, young and old alike, rolled back the years, and 
games and frolic filled the wee small hours, till the whistle of 
the outgoing train reminded us we must say good bye to this 
happy day, that could not return but to memory dear. 



A BRIEF SKETCH OF JOSIAH SIBLEY 

Read on His Birthday, April 1, 1908, at a Family Gathering 

at the Home of Mrs. Mary S. Gardner. 



The poetically religious do declare unto us, that the tender 
human relationships of husband, wife, father, mother, child, 
and the lesser ties of kinship that radiate from these, were 
Providential inventions to instruct and to aid mankind in all 
their genei-ations in the divine art of loving. It is unques- 
tionably true that the best we get from earthly life is insepa- 
rably connected with these relationships; and one is dear to 
us, who is of our blood, though personally unknown to us. 
"The Sibley family," as we know it in our circle, has always 
been remarkably clannish, and no doubt those of us who meet 
here for the first time feel the impulse of loyal affection for 
one another born not of personal association and acquaint- 
ance, but of our common blood. The prosy law writers tell 
us that our collateral kindred are bound to us by no direct 
tie between person and person ; but that the tie consists at 
last only in a descent from a common ancestor, whose blood 
actually flows in the veins of each; and that the nearness or 
remoteness of the relationship depends only on the nearness 
or renoteness in the line of descent of the common ancestor, 
with the consequent less or greater admixture of other blood. 
The unsentimental law therefore makes the whole of our re- 
lation.ship to consist in the identification of our common ances- 
tor; and Avhile we know how greatly that foundation may be 
budded upon in personal association and the development of 
sincere personal affection and admiration, we readily perceive 
that among blood kindred the logical origin of the tie lies in 
the fact that in the not remote past the ancestors of each 
called one man "Father." The kinship which we recognize 
by marriage, rests on the beautiful theory, often happily 
realized in fact, that husband and wife are each adopted into 
the family of the other in all its ramifications, each thus claim- 
ing the kindred of the other by that title by which alone 
heavenly joys and possessions are held — adoption. 

Disregarding the numberless other ties that may bind us 
today, that which brings us together AS SIBLEYS lies in our 
common descent from him the centenary of whose natal day 
we celebrate, Josiah Sibley. Bearing, many of us, as an in- 
heritance from him his name, is it then one of which his life 
need make us ashamed? Having, all of us, his blood, is it an 



55 

inheritance of evil? Having had his example, is it one that 
we may follow? 

Children of the third generation who never knew their 
great-grandfather Sibley, and some of the second who cannot 
recall him as their grandfather, mnst needs be told what man- 
ner of man he was; and may listen with the assurance that 
the knowledge may and should be one of the treasures of the 
sacred past. 

As has been said, this is the one hundredth anniversary of 
his birth. The family in which on that occasion he took chief 
place for the time being, was that of Joel Sibley, a farmer of 
Uxbridge, jMassachusetts. Joel Sibley could count back eight 
generations of Sibleys to John Sibley, who had lived at St. 
Albans in Hertfordshire, England; and probably because of 
the quality of his religion, had followed the Mayflower to 
Massachusetts in 1629, becoming thus one of the early set- 
tlers of the colony, and no doubt taking a proper part in the 
trying contests with nature and the natives which ensued. 
In 1808, however, Josiah found a much more modern Massa- 
chusetts, and we cannot surround him with the halo of the 
heroic age of America. There were his older brothers, Amory 
and Royal, to teach and to tease him : to instruct his budding 
curiosity in all the wonders of INIassachusetts "chores," and 
then to see that the youngster was kept in constant practice 
by doing as much of them as possible. The then INIrs. Sibley 
had been Lois Wood, a daughter of Ezekiel Wood, and from 
the influence a mother usually has on sons, we may imagine 
her to have been a model of the exact and frugal Puritan 
housekeeper. 

Perhaps farming was not the natural hereditary occupa- 
tion of the Sibleys. Certainly it did not pay — Massachusetts 
farming never did. Amory and Royal Sibley by some chance 
got to Augusta, Georgia, and started a thriving little business 
there. This point was the head of navigation of the Savan- 
nah for the larger boats; and as in the case of every other 
river before the days of railroads, that fact determined the 
location of the emporium of trade for the country on the 
headwaters. After some years of schooling at home, young 
Josiah Sibley, then 13 years old, followed his brothers south, 
and with one dollar as his fortune arrived at Augusta, Geor- 
gia. He served his brothers as clerk for his food and clothes, 
and the profits realized on a line of fishing tackle and pocket 
knives which was put under his especial care. This limited 
income, depending for its existence as well as its size upon 
his own efforts, does not indicate so much a want of liberality 
and affection for the younger brother, as a shrewd and long- 
sighted policy of throwing him on his own resources, and 



50 

developing what was in him. And while we have extant no 
inventory of the stock of Hibley J^ros., remembering that the 
savage was then a principal inhabitant of the upper waters 
of the Savannah, and all the people who came down to trade 
were sons of the forest, this line was by no means an unim- 
portant or limited one. And the young merchant soon won 
his mercantile spurs, being permitted to undertake also a trade 
in fruits, especially oranges, from Savannah, where a Mr. 
Padelford represented his interests. This enterprise proved 
a success, and attained considerable proportions. In 1822, 
]Mr. Royal Sibley died, and in 1828, at the age of twenty, 
Josiah Sibley took his brother's place as the partner of Amory 
Sibley, the firm name being A. & J. Sibley, at Hamburg, S. C. 
The business was now specialized to the handling of cotton, 
and became both extensive and remunerative. It was done 
at Hamburg still, though Augusta w^as rapidly growing, and 
was soon to take the commercial scepter from Hamburg, and 
later to take its commercial life. (Since Georgia "went dry," 
however, it may be remarked, the Hamburg side is coming 
to the front again as a place where "business may be done.") 
Mr. Amory Sibley died in 1849, having previously sold his 
interest to his partner. 

But meanwhile some very interesting things were happen- 
ing at home. On July 25, 1831, the young merchant of 23 
had induced Miss Sarah Ann Crapon — I think my father used 
to tell me his mother's name was Sarah Ann Sophia, a name 
that he spoke with affection and reverence, though not a 
euphonious one to my boyish ears — to leave the home of her 
parents, William ancl Hannah Crapon, in Providence, Rhode 
Island, and become Mrs. Josiah Sibley. William Crapon Sib- 
ley was the first born of this union. Following him were 
Henry Josiah, Samuel Hale, Sophia Matilda, George Royal, 
Fannie Maria, Mary Lois, Alice Maria, Robert Pendleton, 
Caroline Crapon, and Amory Walter — eleven in all. Several 
of these died in infancy or youth. Others, as we know, lived 
useful and honorable lives. All save one have joined their 
father and mother on the other side of the river, whose dim 
mists may be penetrated by the eye of faith alone. 

In 1853, W. C. Sibley, the oldest son, became a member of 
the firm of J. Sibley & Son, and two years later the business 
was transferred to Augusta, turning in no slight degree the 
scale of commercial importance in favor of Augusta. In 1857 
his son Sanniel II. Sibley was admitted to partnership, forming 
firm of Josiah Sibley & Sons. Soon after the war W. C. Sibley 
began business on his own account in New Orleans, and for 
distinction's sake, when firm of Josiah Sibley & Sons Avas dis- 
solved, and firm of J. Sibley & Sons formed, consisting of him- 



57 

self and his sons Samuel H. and George R. Later R. P. 
Sibley became a member of the old firm. But through all 
changes of membership or name, the firm stood synonymous 
in middle and east Georgia for unvarying fairness and in- 
tegrity, and easily ranked first in the largest and most im- 
portant of business in Augusta — the cotton business. 

In 1860, the first Mrs. Sibley having died, Miss Emma 
Longstreet, of Richmond county, Georgia, became Mrs. Josiah 
Sibley. She became the mother of John Adams, James Long- 
street, IMary Bones, and Emma Josephine — the always jolly, 
loving and loveable "Uncle John," "Uncle Jim," "Aunt 
Mary," and "Aunt Jo" of present times. This, the "Grand- 
ma Sibley" that I knew was in every way fitted to fill the 
place of prominence in Augusta which she occupied, and not 
less to be the mother of her husband's household. The chil- 
dren of the former marriage were nearly all grown when she 
entered the family, but joined her own children, and later 
the grandchildren, in the respect and love that was universally 
accorded her as her just and lasting tribute. If space per- 
mitted, I would like to tell at length of her character and 
accomplishments, of her charities, her consuming zeal for for- 
eign missions, at least one monument to which is the "Sib- 
ley Home," in Soochow, China, built most largely through 
the prayers and efforts of jMrs. Sibley and IMrs. Werner. 

In 1874, Josiah Sibley retired from active business, but, 
having accumulated much wealth, gave his time still to his 
private business affairs. He had always been interested in 
public affairs. One of the early mayors of the city, Mr. 
Samuel Hale, who figured so prominently in many of the de- 
velopments of the city, was so warm a friend as to give name 
to the third son of the first marriage. In 1867-8, Josiah 
Sibley served upon the city council. In 1870, he was a hearty 
mover in the establishment of the Langley Manufacturing 
Company. In 1880 his activity in organizing another, the 
most beautiful of the Augusta cotton mills, was rewarded by 
having it called for him the "Sibley Manufacturing Com- 
pany." He was prominent in the building and early manage- 
ment of the Georgia Railroad, and in my childish estimation, 
for many years in the early eighties the greatest honor that 
my grandfather had ever shown him, or that the family was 
ever likely to boast, was that locomotive of heroic build. No. 
36, bore the title, "Josiah Sibley." He was a director in 
several financial institutions, besides the Georgia Railroad 
and Banking Company, was identified with the building and 
enlargement of the Canal, and with the administration of the 
Augusta Orphans' Asylum. 

This last leads naturally to emphasize the fact that his wis- 



58 

dora was not all of this world, and that there was no neglect 
to lay np treasures in heaven. Besides the countless charities 
of the right hand of which the left hand knew nothing, and 
the public charities not strictly religious, Josiah Sibley's name 
and money were always identified with the church. As a 
young man, when not even a member, it is said that his at- 
tendance Avas so regular upon services, and his conduct so 
exemplary, as to lead to his being pitched upon as a deacon 
under the mistake that he was a member of the church. He 
soon became a member of the First Presbyterian Church. We 
may imagine that the call to higher duty may easily have 
accentuated a sense of neglect of the lower, and the neglect 
was promptly remedied. For many years he was an elder in 
that church, that highest dignity in the spiritual common- 
wealth, as the Presbyterians see it. He practically sustained 
the little church known as the "Sibley Mission" for many 
years. When the Greene Street Presbyterian Church was 
struggling for existence, he readily threw such aid and sup- 
port, as his membership meant, to it; though farther removed 
from him, and though breaking old church ties, and leaving 
most of his sons in the other congregation. 

He was called to his eternal reward from Summerville, Au- 
gusta, Ga., on December 7, 1888, when in his eighty-first year. 

For most of the facts here related, we are indebted to the 
accurate research of our cousin (or neice, as the case may 
be), Mrs. ]\Iary Lois Eve. While my own recollections of 
"Grandpa Sibley" are limited by the horizon of a boy of 
eleven or twelve years — for I was not older than that when 
I last saw much of him — I feel that some effort to picture 
the real man around this skeleton of fact, is appropriate and 
excusable. 

I recollect him as of medium height, inclined to be stout, 
erect even in old age. His face was clean-shaven, except for 
some beard allowed to grow in front of the ears and upon 
the cheeks, of silvery whiteness. His face was one of the 
kindest and gentlest I remember. I recall wrinkles about the 
eyes that come from smiling. I remember none of those on 
the brow that are the children of the frown. I do not call 
to mind his ever giving away to temper, or harsh or rough 
or coarse language. The only instance of impatience that I 
remember were occasioned by the laziness or carelessness or 
indifference to duty of people about him. 

Contact in later years w^th his business investments has 
taught me his farsightedness and sound judgment. Even as a 
boy I was impressed that he was pre-emiently a business man, 
and that the first business principle he followed was "hon- 
esty and accuracy." I have often heard him refer to the 



59 

duty to make one's "word as good as one's bond." I have 
often heard exactly that thing said to be true of him. What 
a relief to meet such men in this day, when refuge from some 
bad bargain is so often taken in a claimed "misunderstand- 
ing," so that "bonds" alone are commonly esteemed safe 
and binding! And in the matter of accuracy, the slightest 
deviation from correctness worried him, regardless of the 
amount involved. He desired every one in a business trans- 
action to render to him his full and exact due, not as a matter 
of graspingness, but for the sake of accuracy, and his desire 
was equally as apparent to render to every one else their 
exact due. And I have yet to hear of a single instance in 
which he did not render it. Considering that in commercial 
life of ordinary duration, statistics show that 95 per cent, 
fail, what a record is a career of 67 years on the treacherous 
shoals of finance, paying dollar for dollar in every vicissitude 
of business. 

And Grandpa believed in redeeming the time, and looking 
after the dimes. I well remember going to walk with him, 
and his requiring me to bring home some old iron that had 
lain around for years, as being worth so much per pound. 
At Marietta, whither often he would have his grandchildren 
come to visit him and eat apples, at this very homestead, T 
remember the severest reproof he ever gave me. Mac Wil- 
liams and I were in need of something to do, and he told us 
to gather into piles the rocks in the grove, down towards the 
gate, and he would give us each a quarter. There were a 
good many rocks there, and we decided it was worth about 
two dollars, and struck for higher wages, or rather declined 
the job. His pointing out to us that it was better to work 
for nothing than to be idle, and that to do a dollar's worth 
of work for twenty-five cents was preferable to doing noth- 
ing and earning nothing, and that one's time was worth only 
what one could then get for it, and nothing if one did not do 
something with it then and there, because it would otherwise 
be gone beyond recall — I will never forget. 

With all his business strictness, he was generous when it 
came to giving. Satisfy him of real need, and his response 
was ready and bountiful. And he loved his family. I sup- 
pose there must have been then thirty grandchildren, but not 
too many to come to see him, in installments, or all at 
once. Each Christmas we were expected in force, and after 
dinner were ranged on the back porch of the Riverside Home 
on the joggling board and elsewhere, and each given a round 
silver dollar; often with the remark that such a dollar was 
the capital on which he began life. We children had fifty- 
cent uncles, and twenty-five-cent aunts, and ten-cent other 



60 

kins folk — that was the way we rated them on Christmas — 
but only one dollar Grandpa ! Those dollars were so mar- 
velously large ! and while we did not start life on them just 
as he did, we made them at least contribute some to life for 
a few days. 

The 3^ear after my father died, Christmas with us was spent 
away from Augusta. Before me now lies a letter to me in 
Grandpa's own handwriting, dated Christmas day, telling 
me that he would miss us, and that a five-dollar bill was en- 
closed for us four children ! I prized the enclosure then, I 
fear. I prize the letter now, and its thoughtful love, the most 
precious though unspoken enclosure. 

I trust that we may take as the most lasting and valued 
heritage from this our common ancestor, his example and 
character. Nothing can surpass as a possession that good 
name, which is to be chosen above great riches. What trait 
in our contact with the world more desirable than scrupulous 
honesty and integrity, and unremitting industry in business! 
What manifestation more lovely of the inner man than gen- 
erosity guarded by judgment, and an abiding love for those 
around and about us ! I trust that the common blood of this 
ancestor may continue in all generations, as it has in the 
first, to find expression in lives of honor led by his descend- 
ants, and in a living affection one for another. 

SAMUEL H. SIBLEY. 

''Augusta, December 25th, 1884. 
"Master Sam'l H. Sibley, 

"My Dear Grand Son: 

"I was sorry to learn by your mother's letter that 
it was not convenient for all of you to spend Christmas with 
us today as usual. 

"I have no doubt but what you will have a nice time at 
Union Point. Enclosed you have five dollars to divide out 
with your brother and sisters, with much love to your mother 
and your grandma and all. 

"Your Grandpa, 

"JOSIAH SIBLEY." 



WAWT m. 



Lives of Wm. C. Sibley, Samuel H. Sibley, George R. 

Sibley, Robert P. Sibley, John A. Sibley 

and James L. Sibley. 



MAJOR WILLIAM C. SIBLEY. 

Georgia. 



William C. Sibley, eldest son of Josiah Sibley, was born in 
Augusta, Ga., May 3d, 1832. He received his education at 
private schools, and was prepared for college at the Rich- 
mond County Academy, Augusta ; but being destined for a 
mercantile career he decided to forego a collegiate cours*^. 
and entered his father's store in Hamburg, S. C, in 1848, 
being then sixteen years old. He commenced in the most sub- 
ordinate position, but in the following year had made such 
progress as to be intrusted with the books of the firm. At 
twenty years of age, during a somewhat lengthened absence 
of his father, he had the sole charge of the business, and 
acquitted himself with great credit. Inl853 he was taken into 
partnership with his father under the style of J. Sibley & 
Son, and in 1855 the business was removed to Augusta, Ga. 
In 1857 his brother, Samuel H. Sibley, was admitted into the 
firm and the name changed to Josiah Sibley & Sons. In 1859 
he became a member of the City Council of Augusta, in which 
he took a prominent part in advocating and subsequently in- 
augurating the Augusta water works, which now supply the 
city with an abundant quantity of water. In November 1861, 
he enlisted as a private in the Oglethorpe Infantry, Company 
B, and served for six months on the coast of Georgia. Their 
term of service having expired, he then volunteered in Caper's 
Battery of Artillery, but before he could join his Company, 
he received a telegram from Brigadier-General John K. Jack- 
son, of Augusta, then at Tupelo, Miss., offering him the posi- 
tion as Brigade Commissary on his staff with the rank of 
Captain. Accepting this appointment, he accompanied the 
expedition of General Bragg through Kentucky, and, although 
at times the army was under half rations during that cam- 
paign, he managed through his individual exertions to keep 
General Jackson's brigade on full rations, besides issuing 
rations from his supplies to several other brigades on the re- 
treat from Kentucky. On their arrival at Knoxville, he had 
a wagon-load of wheat and some 2,800 pounds of bacon still 
on hand. His arduous duties and the exposure during this 
campaign brought on an attack of chronic diarrhoea, not- 
withstanding which he attended to his duties as usual, keep- 
ing the brigade well supplied with provisions. In this cam- 
paign of six weeks he was reduced fifty-nine pounds in weight 



64 

by this attack, and at its conclusion, being too ill to remain 
in camp, was transferred to the hospital at Angusta. Rejoin- 
ing his command the day after the battle of Murfreesboro, he 
was again prostrated by the disease and confined to his quar- 
ters for some weeks at Bridgeport, Ala. On his recovery, he 
was transferred to Chattanooga, where he was on duty until 
that city was evacuated; he remained in the field until the 
army fell back to Dalton, when, being broken down by a re- 
turn of his old disease, he was furloughed and sent home, and 
finally retired from active service in 1863. In 1864, at his 
own request, he was placed on duty at Augusta as Post Com- 
missary, with the rank of Major, dating back to General 
Bragg 's Kentucky campaign, and filled that position until 
the close of the war. For several weeks after the surrender, 
at the request, first of General Upton and afterwards of Gen- 
eral IMolyneux of the United States army, he continued to 
act as Commissary, issuing rations to the Confederate soldiers 
returning from Lee's and Johnston's armies en route to their 
homes and to the hospitals in Augusta. 

In 1865 he withdrew from the firm, George R. Sibley being 
admitted in his place, and removed to New Orleans, where 
he became a member of the firm of Siblej^ Guion & Co. This 
firm was dissolved January 1st, 1868, and Mr. Sibley con- 
tinued in the shipping and commission business on his own 
account in New Orleans until the spring of 1870, when he 
was unanimously chosen President of the Langley Manufac- 
turing Company, then just organized. He consequently re- 
moved to Augusta where the financial business of the com- 
pany was conducted and at the same time was associated with 
B. S. Dunbar as buyers of cotton on commission, under the 
firm name of Dunbar & Sibley. This firm was dissolved in 
April, 1878, and from that time Mr. Sibley gave his whole 
time to the interests of the Langley Manufacturing Company. 
This Company was organized in March, 1870, the factory 
being situated at Langley, S. C, about eight miles from 
Augusta, Ga., where the general management was conducted. 

Mr. Sibley was a director of the Commercial Bank of Au- 
gusta, and a director of the Augusta Land Company. He was 
a member of the Presbyterian Church and an elder of the 
First Presbyterian Church, Augusta. 

He married November 7th, 1860, Jane E. Thomas, daughter 
of Judge G. E. Thomas, of Columbus, Ga., and had nine chil- 
dren — six boys and three girls. One boy, Josiah, and daugh- 
ter, Annie, dying in infancy. 



65 

Confederate War Price of Salt in 1865 at Augusta, Georgia. 

Sale 3 bbls. of Salt, 829 lbs., sold $4.50 per lb., or $3,730.50 

Sale 2 bbls. of Salt, 544 lbs., sold 4.15 per lb., or 2,075.00 



$5,805.50 
Out of which City of Augusta charged a Tax 11/2%, or... .$87.00 



Paid Drayage of $10.00 a barrel $50.00 



ConfeDerate States of Hnierica, 

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MEMORIAL— WILLIAM CRAPON SIBLEY 

In the Early Morning of April 17th, 1902, William Crapon 

Sibley, Senior Ruling Elder of This the Presbyterian 

Church of Augusta, Ga., Entered Upon His Reward, 

Aged Seventy Years. 



The Session of the church would memorialize his inspiring 
example and make submissive but painful record of our sense 
of loss at his departure. His was an unblemished record. His 
life was lived to the glory of God and the blessing of his 
fellow man. In every relation of life he was faithful. In 
character his strength was rugged as the granite cliff; his ten- 
derness was soft as the perfume of the flower; he was unob- 
trusive in spirit, unconventional and simple in manner; direct 
in speech and independent in action. He was afraid of noth- 
ing on earth but to do wrong, he trod the path of duty and 
seemingly feared no evil and dreaded no consequences; he 
feared God and kept His commandments. 

He loved his native State as a child loves its mother; and 
when, she, affrighted and distressed, during the civil war, cried 
to her sons for defense he gave her the patriotic service of the 
strongest years of his manhood. In times of peace he was no 
less devoted. Intelligently and with zeal he worked for her 
material and intellectual development; he was ever zealous for 
the moral and spiritual uplift of her people. As a citizen he 
was public spirited, intelligent and courageous, he shirked no 
duty, he shared every responsibility. 

In business he was a pleasant man to have dealings with ; — 
he was so just, so honest, so correct, so straightforward, that 
whatever he said might be implicitly relied upon. 

In benevolence his life abounded, and many were the hun- 
gry he fed, the naked he clothed, the unfortunate to whom 
he ministered. In the support of his church and her benevo- 
lent causes he was abundant in his liberality. He had learned 
the lesson of his Master, "It is more blessed to give than to 
receive." A truer, kinder heart or one that leaped with more 
generous impulse to every cry of need will not be found. 

He was the soul of hospitality, and few knew how better to 
dispense the comforts of a luxurious home than he. The 
preacher of righteousness seemed especially welcome; and our 
brother never seemed more happy than when entertaining such 



70 

messengers as they went about doinu: their Father's business. 

He was the father of nine children, seven of whom survive 
him. He Avas devoted and indulgent to them; and to see them 
grow up in morality, temperance and piety and take their 
places as useful, worthy and religious citizens was his suprem- 
est wish. We rejoice that his heart's desire was gratified; 
and that in all of his children he has left society an heritage 
that remains to his honor; and that through them his name is 
still honored in the active membership, the eldership and the 
ministry of the church of God, 

For nearly forty-two years he had been united in marriage 
to a noble wife. With peculiar and sensitive care he had 
watched over her, blessed and protected her; and it is hers to 
bear the heaviest weight of this great affliction. She shared 
with him his vicissitudes and our tenderest sympathies go out 
to her as she bends under this stroke which calls upon her 
now in the evening of life to travel, without his supporting 
arm, the remainder of life's way. As a man among men, in 
every relation of life, we can say of him : 

"He was a man, take him for all in all, 
I shall not look upon his like again." 

Above all and beneath all else, our brother was a Christian 
man. In every place, under all circumstances, he gave unmis- 
takable evidence of his sonship. He gave heed to the com- 
mandments of the law, and in a day of laxity was conspicuous 
in his observance of the Sabbath as a holy day unto the Lord. 
His charity was broad, his faith so strong that no variation of 
fortune could shake it; his testimony so unqualified that men 
paused and said as he passed, "he w^alks with God!" In faith 
he "was an uncompromising Presbyterian. He loved and was 
loyal to his mother church because he understood the scrip- 
turalness of her doctrine and government. Whether in the 
local church or in the wider field of presbyterial or synodical 
work he was dutiful in service, and most sadly will his wise 
counsels and his active endeavors be missed as we study the 
things that make for the peace of Zion. His regular attend- 
ance upon the worship of the sanctuary was characteristic and 
often in the prayer circle have we been reminded of the beloved 
John as this second patriarch would pray, "Give us more 
love to Thee and more love to one another." 

He died as he had lived; w^ith the opening of the day, a 
radiance not born of earth rested upon his face, and while 
looking steadfastly at the things which are eternal, he whis- 
pered, "Its all right," and fell on sleep. Thus passes away 
another of the honored Ruling Elders of this venerable church, 
full of years, as full of honors; his life a ministry, his memory 
a benediction ! 



71 

"I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, 
Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth ; 
Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; 
while their works do follow them." 

GRTGSBY T. SIBLEY— 

Grigsby T. Sibley first engaged in the cotton factorage busi- 
ness in Augusta, Ga., and after a number of years turned his 
attention to the study of life insurance, starting at the bottom 
of the ladder and has served a number of the leading com- 
panies of America, but for the past seven years has been with 
the Equitable Life, having charge of the agency at Wilming- 
ton, Del., and then at Philadelphia, and for the past three 
years has been general manager of the Equitable for the State 
of Alabama with headquarters at Birmingham, Ala. 

As a result of his efforts and influence with the Home Office, 
the Equitable has made large loans for the development of 
real estate in the larger cities of Alabama and the Equitable 
building at Birmingham is a monument to his successful work. 

REV. JULIAN S. SIBLEY— 

Rev. Julian S. Sibley spent several years in the mercantile 
business in Augusta, Ga., but felt and answered the higher 
call to the ministry of God's word, so took the regular course 
at Theological Seminary of the Southern Presbyterian Church, 
at Louisville, Ky. His first pastorate was at Lawson, Mo. 
From thence he went to the Wallace Memorial Church, in At- 
lanta. Ga.. thence to the First Church at Winchester, Va.. and 
for the past four years has been pastor of the First Church at 
Pensacola, Fla. 

Under the blessing of God during his ministry the Church 
at Pensacola has made greater progress in all departments 
than for any similar period of its history. Many additions 
have been made upon profession of faith, and the universal 
love and support of his people is a high testimonial to the fact 
that his faith is being justified by his work. 

JOHN W. SIBLEY— 

John W. Sibley, after a few months service for his brother. 
Grigsby T. Sibley, in Augusta, Ga., w^ent to Coaldale, Ala., in 
the celebrated Birmingham district, and engaged in the brick 
manufacturing and coal mining business. He has continued 
in same for the past twenty years. 

Under his management the Coaldale Vitrified Paving Brick 
was perfected and put on the market and many miles of streets 
and road-ways of the South are paved with this durable brick. 



72 

In 1904, he sold out his interests in the Coaldale plant and, 
with his associates, built the magnificent plant of the Sibley- 
Menge Press Brick Company, of which he is President, at Sib- 
leyville (about two miles from Coaldale) for manufacturing 
high grade press brick in various colors. 

These brick have been extensively used in residences, 
churches, sky-scrapers, court houses, etc. all over the South. 

He has been treasurer of the National Brick Manufacturers' 
Association for sixteen years and was appointed by President 
Roosevelt a member of the National Advisory Board on Fuels 
and Structural Materials. 

He is president of the Sibley Bros. Coal Company, miners of 
the famous Black Creek Steam Coal, with mines near Sibley- 
ville. 

For the past eleven years has resided in Birmingham, Ala., 
and is an elder in the South Highlands Presbyterian Church 
and superintendent of the Sunday School. 

DR. B. DUNBAR SIBLEY— 

Dr. B. Dunbar Sibley served in the mercantile business with 
his brother Julian, at Augusta, Ga., for a while, then went to 
Coaldale, Ala., and was superintendent of the brick plant for 
a few years. 

Like Julian, he felt called to a professional life and took a 
course in medicine at the University of Georgia, and then at 
the Birmingham Medical College. 

He began his practice at Warrior, Ala., where he w-as Com- 
pany physician for several mines and the brick plant at Coal- 
dale and did general practice besides. 

After several years, he decided to confine his practice to 
special work on eye, ear, nose and throat, and took a course 
at New York and Philadelphia, where he enjoyed the privileges 
of the leading hospitals. 

For the past three years, he has practiced in a most suc- 
cessful manner at Birmingham, Ala., and has handsome and 
well appointed offices in the First National Bank building. 

He has read several papers before the Medical Association, 
which have been published in their journals. 

WILLIAM LANGLEY SIBLEY— 

William Langley Sibley, immediately after leaving college, 
accepted a position with his brother, John, at Coaldale and 
began a persistent study of brick manufacturing and coal 
mining. He stuck steadfastly to his chosen work and by his 
energy and capability rose rapidly to the general management 



73 

of both enterprises at that end of the line, and may be truly- 
said to fill the position of the "INIan behind the gun." 

He, not only has under his grasp every detail of the opera- 
tions but in the handling of employees has shown such splen- 
did executive ability and wisdom, that not only is a strike 
unknown, but "Mr. Lang." has the affection of all employees, 
both foremen and laborers. 

To his research and experiments the building public is in- 
debted for many of the beautiful color effects in the Sibley- 
Menge Press Brick. 

His method of mining the coal and clay at the Sibley mines 
has established a reputation without a peer for the Sibley 
Black Creek Coal. 

He resides in a picturesque bungalow of his own design at 
Sibleyville on the Highlands overlooking the plant. 



mmm®li 



m ©ummjs 



GEORGIA 



SAMUEL HALE SIBLEY 

Georgia. 



Samuel Hale Sibley, third son of Josiah Sibley, was born in 
Augusta, Ga., September 9th, 1835. He received his educa- 
tion in private schools finishing it at Worcester, Mass., in 
1856, and in 1857 was admitted into co-partnership with his 
brother, William C. Sibley, and his father, Josiah Sibley, under 
the firm name of Josiah Sibley & Sons, Augusta, Ga. 

On March the 4th, 1862, he enlisted in the Georgia Light 
Guards of Augusta, under Captain Joshua K. Evans, at Au- 
gusta, Ga., known as Company "C" 48th Georgia Infantry 
C. S. A. He fought in the battle of Malvern Hill, Virginia, 
and with some others of his Company became cut off from his 
command, subsisting for days upon roots and barks, and drink- 
ing water through his handkerchief from a wallow from which 
he had driven an old sow, returning home in broken health, 
he put in a substitute in the army, after learning that his sub- 
stitute had been killed in the battle of Sharpesburgh, he pur- 
chased a horse at Augusta, Ga., and rode on horse-back all 
the way to Richmond, Va.. where he joined Cobbs' legion of 
cavalry in Hampton's division, under General Stonewall 
Jackson. He was engaged in the battle of Chancellors- 
ville and many encounters around Richmond, and especially 
the Seven Days' Fight, in one of w^hich he was in the 
battle of Seven Pines. He said when returning home, that it 
was one time he had gone ten days without taking off his 
boots, he was wounded in the side in one of these engage- 
ments, and his bad health at the time of General Lee's sur- 
render found him sick at home from his wounds. 

In 1857 the firm of Josiah Sibley & Sons was formed, consist- 
ing of Josiah Sibley, William C. Sibley and Samuel H. Sibley. 
In 1865 it was disolved and the firm of J. Sibley & Sons was 
formed — consisting of himself, his father, Josiah Sibley, and 
his brother George R. Sibley. They did a wholesale grocery 
business and a cotton business, being, probably, the wealthiest 
firm in Augusta, Ga. 

He w^as a member of the Presbyterian Church, at Augusta, 
Ga., and w^as always noted for his love and kindness to others ; 
being a devoted husband and father. 

He married Sarah Virginia Hart on November 15th, 1865, 
daughter of James B. Hart. Rev. Joseph R. Wilson, pastor of 



78 

the First Presbyterian Church. Augusta, officiating. They 
had six children, three sons and three daughters. Josiah Sib- 
ley, Jr., died at the age of 12 years, in 1879, and Grace Pen- 
dleton, aged 2 years, died July 31st. 1870. 

JUDGE SAMUEL HALE SIBLEY— 

Judge Samuel Hale Sibley, born at Union Point, Ga., July 
12th, 1873, is a first honor graduate of the University of Geor- 
gia. He is an elder in the Presbyterian church at Union Point, 
Ga., and none stands higher than he as a devoted Christian, 
husband, father, brother, son or friend. His future is indeed 
bright, as he is at this time considered among his brother law- 
yers one of the ablest at the bar. 

JAMES HART SIBLEY— 

James Hart Sibley, born at Union Point, Ga., September 
25th, 1875, is a model Christian gentleman of many shining 
virtues, being a dutiful son and a promising business man, 
being general manager of the Union Point Cotton Seed Oil 
Mills, as well as the Ogeechee Brick Company, at Union 
Point, Ga. 



o(g®ri© lr^®wa 



GEORGIA 



ri^t^'^M^n 




HON. GEORGE R. SIBLEY, 
Deceased. 



As a citizen and public man, the record of the late Hon. 
George R. Sibley, of Augusta, Ga., is worthy of all the praise 
and honor which man can bestow on man. His ability was 
universally acknowledged, and he was known and loved by 
all Born and reared in Augusta, he made that city his home 
for nearly fifty years, and in business matters and public 
affairs he was ever regarded as a leader and a sound adviser. 
Successful in private affairs, he was even more successful in 
the public trusts which he was often called to administer. 
Full of public spirit and enterprise, the friend of the strug- 
gling young man and of the children, George R. Sibley easily 
took rank as the foremost citizen of Augusta. In the home 
circle, in the great world of business, he was esteemed and 
beloved for his grandeur of character and the spotless 
purity of his life. The most touching incident, possibly, in 
the entire life of this nobleman of God was his connection, as 
president of the Augusta Orphan Asylum. His visits, almost 
daily, to that charity were hailed with enthusiasm by the 
childish inmates, and the great love and charity he there dis- 
pensed were as lavish and substantial as they were beautiful. 
He treated the young orphans as he would his own little ones 
and completely won their love and respect. His beloved wife 
and children idolized him as husband and father, his own 
brothers and sisters regarded him as a leader and counselor, 
and his aged and honored father rejoiced in the achievements 
of so noble a son. George R. Sibley was born in the City of 
Augusta. Ga., June 19. 1839, and passed the full term of his 
useful life in that community. At an early age he gave decided 
evidence of that strong will and resolute determination to suc- 
ceed, which in after years, was so abundantly illustrated by 
the places of honor and trust he filled to the entire satisfac- 
tion of his constituency. Beginning his manhood with the 
benefits of the liberal education he had received from the old 
Richmond Academy, and Yale College, New Haven, Conn., he 
devoted himself to mercantile affairs and became, in all that 
characterizes such a calling, a model of wisdom, sound-judg- 
ment and commercial honor. 

Mr. Sibley was happily married during his twenty-second 
year, on January 21, 1862. to INIiss Emma, the lovely and highly 
accomplished daughter of Judge Daniel R. Tucker, a leading 



82 

and prominent citizen of Baldwin county, Georgia. Soon after 
he began his business career in Augusta. Mr. Sibley attracted 
the attention of the business talent of that municipality. His 
thorough knoAvledge of men, his firm, yet courteous demeanor, 
his extended information in reference to improved business 
methods, his industry and close attention, soon attracted not 
only the endorsements of his associates, but marked him in 
the eyes of the public as a citizen upon whom distinction as 
well as wealth could be W'Orthily bestoAved. The natural results 
of such a disposition, combined with such talents and qualities 
of head and heart, were soon witnessed by his friends and 
neighbors in the rapidity with which wealth and public duties 
came to him. 

j\Iany years ago, when the enterprise of xVugusta's mer- 
chants found a substantial exhibition in the organization of 
the Exchange, he willingly became a charter member and was 
several times called to the presidency of that body, in whose 
prosperity he felt a profound interest, manifested by judicious 
counsel and pecuniary aid whenever either w^as required. It 
may be declared without reflection upon the living, that the 
memory of the dead holds high place in the history and pro- 
gress of what today is a fitting monument of the liberal and 
public-spirit which actuated his life and conduct. 

When the war betw^een the States called for defenders of the 
South, ]Mr. Sibley entered the army as a Confederate private, 
in 1862, and was subsequently made quartermaster-sergeant, 
serving until the close of the war. In 1877 when the people of 
Georgia called to their assistance the intelligence and man- 
hood of the State, to prepare a fundamental law in keeping with 
the needs of the hour, he went into the deliberations of the 
Constitutional Convention as one of the delegates from this 
district, fully armed to meet all the necessities of the occasion, 
and the record of his labors will demonstrate that his practical 
sense, firm judgment and progressive spirit found expression 
in many of its provisions. And when the Constitution received 
the endorsement of the people he was called to the halls of 
the General Assembly as a representative from Richmond 
County to enforce its requirements by appropriate legislation. 
In the matter of public education he was fully abreast of the 
most advanced thought on that important subject, and he 
placed himself in sympathy wntli the cause, exhibiting a vigor 
and zeal which tired not, even in the moment of his sudden 
taking off. He was for several terms the distinguished presi- 
dent of the board, and gave, as the system needed it, the 
amplest proof of how near to his large and generous heart was 
the education of the masses. Nor did his restless purpose to 
serve his day and generation cease with these important 



83 

offices of public service. The homeless and the orphan found 
ready sympathy and substantial help at his hands, and when 
he accepted a call, unanimously made, to the presidency of 
the Augusta Orphan Aslyum, he entered upon a work most 
congenial, and to Avhich he brought a liberal mind, coupled 
with a tender heart. The orphans miss his regular visits, in 
which he was ever the bearer of kind words and attractive 
gifts that made gladness come to the little ones whose pleas- 
ures follow from footsteps of the good and charitable. 

In municipal affairs he ever felt a deep concern and inter- 
ested himself in all matters which tended to promote the ad- 
vance of the city's Avelfare. As chairman of the finance com- 
mittee of the council he rendered valuable service in promot- 
ing the credit of the municipality at a time w'hen the utmost 
care was needed to protect its good name and credit, and en- 
joyed the satisfaction of seeing its bonds become a much sought 
for security in the markets of the country at a price that indi- 
cated a financial strength most desirable. 

In the membership of the Presbyterian church, and as one 
of the most constant contributors to all the good works in 
which it is engaged, he came up to the full stature of a Chris- 
tian man — and while the charities of his right hand were care- 
fully concealed from the knowledge of his left, the blessings 
which follow them rise up today in eloquent commendation 
of the generous giver, who sought not applause so much as he 
did the relief of suffering and want. 

lie was a valued counselor in the board of directors of the 
Augusta Factory, and National Exchange Bank, and filled 
most acceptably the high and responsible position of President 
of the First National Bank, whose interests under his care and 
guidance were well protected, while at the same time the 
accommodations afforded the public were constantly enlarged. 
His administration of the duties of this and other offices, though 
well and faithfully performed, did not prevent proper atten- 
tion to a large private busines, the successful management of 
which commanded the best care and talent. In the very 
meridian of his mental and physical manhood, on July 15, 
1887, he died in the faith of his Father's and entered into the 
rest promised the faithful. The death of George R. Sibley 
was felt throughout the City of Augusta, and his late associ- 
ates in busines commemorated his death in a most fitting 
manner. 

"His life Avas gentle, and the elements 

So mixed in him that Nature might stand up 
And say to all the world. 'This was a man'." 

— From JMemoirs of Georgia. 



Sli©^g 



GEORGIA 





tfH^ ^^^<Z_ ^2^ 



ROBERT PENDLETON SIBLEY, 

Georgia. 



Robert Pendleton Sibley 8, (Josiah 7, Joel 6. Stephen 5, John 
4, John 8, Joseph 2, John 1), being the fifth son of Josiah Sib- 
ley and his wife Sarah Ann Sophia Crapon Sibley, who was a 
daughter of William (merchant) and Hannah Chafee Crapon, 
of Providence, R. I., and first cousin to United States Senator 
and banker Amos C. Barstow, of Providence, who told G. T. 
Sibley the first time he met him, when speaking of his grand- 
father, Josiah Sibley, "that he was a man whose word was as 
good as his bond." His mother and father were both Chris- 
tians and at their death were members of the Presbyterian 
church. 

He received his education at private schools and was a 
scholar at the Richmond Academy in 1864, when Governor 
Joseph E. BroAvn, of Georgia, on jMarch 1st, issued a procla- 
mation on account of General Wm. T. Sherman's army invad- 
ing Georgia, called out the Georgia militia between 16 and 
18 and 48 and 50 years of age to defend their homes. He 
having reached his 16th birthday on February ITtli, 1864, 
on March 9th, 1864, volunteered and was sworn into the Con- 
federate army by the late United States Congressman George 
T. Barnes, as a member of the Augusta Volunteer Artillery, 
being at that time Captain. After the battle of Chicka- 
mauga this Company acted at times in Augusta as infantry 
to guard and take charge of prisoners so as to relieve the 
guards, so they could rest for a few hours. On one occasion 
they were on continuous duty about thirty hours. 

When the battle of xVtlanta, Ga., was being fought they were 
ordered to Atlanta on about a four-hour notice, to take with 
them their battery consisting of four 12-pound Napoleon brass 
cannon and four Cassions of amunition, leaving with about 
60 men and 34 horses. On reaching Macon, Ga.. they were 
ordered back to Augusta, as the battle had been fought. About 
October 1st, 1864, they were mustered into the active army 
of the Confederate States, having 54 men rank and file. The 
officers were: George T. Barnes, captain; Chas. E. Spaeth, 
first lieutenant; Robert Phinizy, second lieutenant, and Lark- 
ham, third lieutenant ; Chas. H. Sibley, orderly sergeant. They 
were then ordered to Jonesboro, Ga., but arriving at Griffin 
they went into camp as the battle of Jonesboro had been 
fought. 



88 

On the march to Savannah, in November, owing to the 
scarcity of cavalry horses at Macon, Ga., they were ordered 
to turn their horses over for cavalry service, and Avere ordered 
to Savannah, Ga., via Albany and Thomasville, having a dis- 
tance of 52 miles to march between Albany and Thomasville. 
Arriving at Albany about sunset, at 7 p. m., they took up the 
line of march, reaching Thomasville about 3 p. m. the next 
day, having halted for three hours at Mr. Wm. Turpiu's 
plantation, who was living in Augusta and a member of 
Barnes' Battery of Artillery, the name our Company was 
commonly called. This was a forced march of 52 miles in less 
than fifteen hours of actual marching time. Reaching Savan- 
nah, Ga., they were stationed in the center of the front of 
Lieut. General Hardee's line, at Lawton's farm, 6 miles out 
of Savannah. Ga.. on the Ogeechee Shell road, which is near 
the Central railroad, where they finished building a dirt bat- 
tery around two 50-pound seige cannon and had a 12-pound 
howitzer. They had been at work only a few hours filling up 
sand bags, when some member of Barnes Battery hollowed, 
"Look out Sibley, that cannon ball might hit you!" He had 
seen it ricocheting on the ground and the subject of this 
sketch was helping to fill the sand bag, to place around the 
cannon for protection when the battle should come on. He 
paid no attention to the warning as he too could see the ball 
plowing up the soil. The second shot came much nearer and 
when the next one was fired the command was given to cease 
work and lay down, which was obeyed. 

Finally night overshadowed the army. When scarcely day 
light the Company went on completeing their breastworks, 
and by 10 o'clock it was finished. General Sherman did not 
renew the cannonading but he did demand the surrender of 
the city of Savannah several times, which had only an army, 
estimated, including the Georgia militia, at about 11,500 sol- 
diers for its defense, whilst General Sherman's array was esti- 
mated at 55.000 soldiers. His demand for surrender was not 
acceded to till about the Saturday before Christmas, in Decem- 
ber, 186-4. Before leaving, Barnes' Battery, the Thursday night 
before, were practically up a whole night to attend the Com- 
pany' 's roll call every three hours, expecting a battle at any 
time the next morning. 

At 9 a. m. the Confederate pickets were driven in, the Com- 
pany's bugle called them to arms rtt which time Private Rob- 
ert P. Sibley was seen to take a handful of tin canteens to a 
spring about 200 feet to the right of the battery entirely ex- 
posed to the United States troops' fire. There were no trees 
there, but an open field. He had scarcely filled a canteen 
with water, when a rifle ball came near him. He stopped, 



89 

stood straight up, soon saw the smoke from the rifle and 
heard the singing noise of bullets passing him on all sides. 
He felt water was essential in battle and believing that he 
would not be hit, he filled his five canteens and went to the 
battery, and as soon as the Confederate pickets got in the 
lines, as they had only one road to come on, which was imme- 
diately in front of the battery. The first shell fired, to his 
delight, fell where the Federals had fired at him, while he 
was getting the water and he thinks that General Joseph 
"Wheeler, who happened to be passing along the line at that 
time, asked permission of our Companj^'s officer to let him 
direct the first shot, Avhich was done and every expectation 
happened, bursting over the place where he last saw the firing, 
which place was covered with sage brush waist high, and he 
believes that it was fatal as no more shots came from that 
direction. 

Gen'l Sherman did no more firing on Barnes' battery, and on 
Friday night Barnes' Battery had spiked their guns before re- 
treating. By Saturday night they had marched to Hardyville, 
S. C. ; having crossed the Savannah river on a pontoon bridge ; 
suffice it to say, they then had a ration issued to each man 
consisting of three crackers, commonly called "hard-tack," 
and a strip of bacon about the width of two fingers and four 
inches long and a quarter of an inch thick, with the under- 
standing that they would be rationed on Mon,day. But 
Wednesday found the army at Adams Run, where they got a 
light ration — having gotten potatoes through the country 
they were marching. Staying there several days without tents 
or houses, sleeping in the open air at night by the fire of a 
large pine tree, cut down into three lengths, then piled, fired, 
and the Company distributed on each side with their feet to 
the fire. Their next camp was at Wiltown Bluff on the 
Edisto river. South Carolina. 

Becoming unwell, Robert Avas sent to a hospital at Augusta, 
Ga., after a month's stay Dr. W. H. Doughty, in charge of the 
Board of Surgeons, pronounced him unfit for field service. 
He was then assigned to the Post Commissary, at Augusta, 
Ga., under his brother. Major \Vm. C. Sibley. He stayed in 
the Commissary after General Lee surrendered some two 
weeks, issuing rations to the Confederate soldiers without 
receiving any thing whatever from the United States, notwith- 
standing they had been in charge since about May 1st. He 
was paroled at the Richmond county court house about ]\Iay 
8th, 1865. 

Be it stated whilst several pay rolls were made out for 
Barnes Battery to the Confederate government, he never re- 
ceived any pay, Avhich was to be $16.00 per month in Con- 



90 

federate money ; and only remembers getting a blanket and one 
pair of shoes from the government for his entire enlistment; 
frequently rations were beef and a few turnips and corn 
bread, which was expected to last tAvo days, in order to make 
it do so, soup Avas made for the first day and Avhatever was 
left was used the next day 

In July, 1865, he w^ent to the University High School, at 
Athens, Ga., under a Mr. Carroll and Prof. Charbonnier. In 
1867 he Avent regularly to work for J. Sibley & Sons without 
compensation until he reached his 21st birthday, and in Sep- 
tember folloAving Avas admitted into the firm, Avliich, in July, 
1874, Avas dissolved. 

At the age of 26 years he was chairman of Finance Committee 
of Board of Directors of the National Exchange Bank, of Au- 
gusta, Ga. ; Avas offered the Presidency of the Round Mountain 
Coal and Iron Company, Avhich he accepted but, OAving to bad 
health, resigned a feAv months after. He is noAv in (1908) 
President of the Southern Slate Company. 

In 1891 he moA^ed to Los Angeles, California, there joined 
Camp No. 770 U. C. V., and received from a committee of ladies 
of United Daughters of the Confederacy, from Atlanta, Ga., 
the Southern Cross of Honor. Returning to Georgia in 1893 
to attend U. C. V. meeting at Augusta, Ga. 

On the 4th of September, 1872, he married Susie Wheless 
Boiling, daughter of Robert P. Boiling, of Memphis, Tenn., and 
had six children — five sons and a daughter. 

He and his father, Josiah Sibley, Avere charter members in 
organizing the Second Presbyterian Church of Augusta, Ga., 
and served as a deacon. He and his friend, Wm. J. Cranston, 
having paid for the expense of the Church Charter. 

Confederate Certificate. 

Augusta, Ga., May 10th, 1898. 
Mr. R. P. Sibley, 

Los Angeles, Cal. : 

This is to certify that you Avere a member of 
the Battery, knoAvn as Barnes Battery, Avhich Avas mus- 
tered into the Confederate States army in October, 1864; 
that the said battery Avas an independent company, forming 
no part of any regiment or brigade, but attached from time 
to time to different commands; said company served during 
Sherman's march through Georgia, in Georgia, Avith the Con- 
federate army, and during the siege of Savannah Avas attached 
to the brigade of General :\Iercer, of General Hardee's com- 
mand, at LaAvton Farm, seven miles from Savannah. After 
the evacuation of Savannah by the Confederate troops under 



91 

General Hardee, the said company served on the coast of 
Sonth Carolina until withdrawn and placed at New Savannah, 
on the Georgia side of the Savannah river, where it remained 
until the close of the war. I further certify that at that 
time you were about sixteen years of age, and that you served 
as a member of said company. 

GEO. T. BAKNES, 

Former Captain of Barnes Battery of Artillery, of Augusta, 
Georgia, and Ex-Member of United States Congress from 
Georgia, Being a Member of the 49th, 50th and 51st Con- 
gress. 

Atlanta, Ga., December 11, 1907. 
Dear Mr. Sibley: 

I have carefully filed your letter of Dec. 10, '07, giving 
account of Barnes' Battery in the Confederate war. The letter 
is now with E-Gov. A. D .Candler, Supt. in Ga. Confederate 
records, at State Capitol, Atlanta. 

Thank you for the letter and copy of Certificate of Maj. 
Barnes, May 10, 1898. 

Yours truly, 

CLEMENT A. EVANS. 




\c'iiO 








Badges Presented to Robert Pendleton Sibley. 



95 



BOLLING SIBLEY- 



Bolling Sibley, eldest child of Robert P. and Susie B. Sib- 
ley, was born in Augusta, Georgia, August 20th, 1873. Pie 
graduated at the Richmond Academy before he attained the 
age of sixteen. Shortly after graduation he secured a position 
in Memphis, Tennessee, where he has resided ever since. 

For many years he held a responsible position in one of the 
Memphis banks, which he voluntarily resigned several years 
ago to embark in the life insurance business. He is now a 
member of the firm of Sibley & Erskine, representing the Penn 
Mutual Life Insurance Co., of Philadelphia, as general agents 
for West Tennessee. 

When fourteen years of age he united with the church, 
and at this time is a member of the First Methodist Church, 
of ^Memphis. 

He was married September 17th, 1903, to Miss Harriet Erie 
Beasley, of LaGrange. Tennessee. The ceremony was per- 
formed by his brother, the Rev. Josiah Sibley. One daughter, 
Dorothy Leigh Sibley, born March 24th, 1905, has been born 
to them. 

REV. JOSIAH SIBLEY— 

Rev. Josiah Sibley, second son of Robert P. and Susie B. 
Sibley, was born in Augusta. Georgia, May 12th, 1877. He 
graduated from Pomona College, California, in 1899, and de- 
ciding to enter the Presbyterian ministry, he took his theo- 
logical course at Yale Divinity School, New Haven, Conn., 
graduating in 1902. Prior to graduation he represented Yale 
on the debating team against Princeton and won for Yale the 
decision of the judges, Avhen upholding the negative of the 
question of the justification of the 15th amendment to the 
United States Constitution. 

He married ]\Iiss Adeline Webb, daughter of W. R. Webb, 
of Bell Buckle, Tennessee, September 4th, 1906, who was 
born in Murray county, Tennessee, May 31st, 1879. 

He is now pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Long 
Beach, California, which has over seven hundred members. 
This congregation under his leadership is now erecting a 
handsome church, costing eigthy thousand dollars. 

GEORGE ROYAL SIBLEY— 

George Royal Sibley, third son of Robert P. and Susie B. 
Sibley, was born in Augusta, Georgia, January 8th, 1879. He 
received his education in the public schools of California. 
As he decided to follow a mercantile life, he declined a col- 
lege education, and at this time is a stockholder and general 



96 

manager of the largest plant of the Pacific Coast Condensed 
Milk Company, of Seattle. "Washington, which nses the milk of 
over twenty-three thonsaud cows, and their annual sales, at 
wholesale,. was over three million dollars in 1907. 

He was married by Rev. Josiah Sibley, of Long Beach, Cali- 
fornia .in Westminster Presbyterian Church, at Chehalis, 
Washington, on September 4th, ]9()7, to J\Iaud ]\Iaynard, born 
in Olymphia, Washington, Angnst, 3 882, daughter of Chas. 
Warren Maynard. The groom's mother and his sister, Francis, 
from Augusta, Ga., were among those present. 

He is a member of the Presbyterian church in Chehalis. 

ROBERT SIBLEY— 

Robert Sibley, fourth son of Robert P. and Susie B. Sibley, 
was born in Round IMountain. Alabama. j\Iarch 28th, 1881. 
He graduated at the University of California in 1903 with the 
highest honors as an electrical engineer. While at the L^ni- 
versity he received the rank of colonel in the battalion of 
cadets, attaining 147 points out of a possible 150 in his mili- 
tary record. He was offered a commission in the United 
States army as firist lieutenant, which he declined, as he pre- 
ferred to follow his profession. Later he accepted the chair 
of engineering in the University of ]\Iontana, at Missoula. 
After holding this position for several years he voluntarily 
resigned to practice his profession. At this time he is making 
an important survey of seven hundred miles for the United 
States government in Montana. 

He was married by Rev. Josiah Sibley, September 5th, 1904, 
to Catherine Stone, born in Oakland, California, September 
23d, 1883, daughter of George A. and Ella Sherman Stone. 
Their daughter, Catherine Elizabeth Sibley, was born in Mis- 
soula, Montana, April 20th, 1907. Both parents are mem- 
bers of the Episcopal church. 



whm Admmm SnIbB(B^g 



GEORGIA 



JOHN ADAMS SIBLEY. 



John Adams Sibley, eldest son of Josiah Sibley and Emma 
Eve Longstreet, was born September 1st, 1860. He attended 
the Virginia IMilitary Institute three years. Engaged in farm- 
ing, life insurance and real estate. 

In October, 1890, elected member of the legislature from 
Cobb county, Georgia, as a democrat, serving two years. In 
1892, nominated by the Populist Party for congress from the 
7th Congressional District of Georgia. In 1896, while resid- 
ing at Tifton, Georgia, was the nominee of the same party 
for the Second Congressional District of Georgia. In 1904, 
was a candidate for elector from the state at large on the 
Populist ticket. 

During the Spanish-American war was commissioned in 
July, 1898, by President McKinley. first lieutenant "E" Com- 
pany, Third United States Volunteer Infantry (known by 
many as Ray's Immunes), sailing from Savannah, Georgia, 
August 13th, landing at Santiago, Cuba, August 17th, was 
appointed Regimental Quartermaster Commissary and Ordin- 
ance Officer, stationed at Guantanomo, Cuba. January, 1899, 
promoted to Captain and assigned to command of "M" Com- 
pany, Third United States Volunteer Infantry, then stationed 
at Baracoa, Cuba ; was mustered out at Macon, Georgia, May 
2d, 1899. 



JunmKgg L®niiisfir®(B(l Snlk 



G EORGI A 



JAMES LONGSTREET SIBLEY, 



James Lonstreet Sibley, the eighth son of Josiah Sibley, 
and second son by his second wife, Emma Eve Longstreet 
Sibley, was born at the "Cottage," six miles south of Augusta, 
Georgia, August 4th, 1863. 

He was named for his mother's first cousin, James Long- 
street, Lieutenant-General of the Confederate States army. 
He was a student of Richmond Academy ,Augusta, Georgia; 
Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Va., and Washington 
and Lee University, in the same state. 

Soon after leaving college he engaged in farming in Bald- 
win county, Georgia, and, at the age of twenty-one, married 
Mattie Erwnn, daughter of Ulysees Maner Erwin and Mary 
Tucker Erwin, of said county. Ten children was the result 
of this union, namely : Mattie ; John Adams ; Ulysses Maner, 
James Longstreet, Josie King, Mary Eve; Josiah, William 
Augustus Longstreet, Marion, and Allen Bowen, all of whom 
were living when this sketch was written. 

James Longstreet Sibley was commissioned as Postmaster 
of the City of Milledgeville, Georgia, in 1901, by President 
McKinley, and again four years later by President Roosevelt. 



h.WT ¥. 



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Arch. 



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July 28th, 1908. 



Robert P. Sibley, Esq. 
Rockmart , Ga. 
Dear Sir:- 

Your letter of the 23rd instant, requesting a certificate 
of the Revolutionary V/ar eervide of the Stephen Sibley who marched 
from Sutton to Saratoga and of the younger of the two men bearing 
the name Ezekiel Wood \,vhose recorde appear here, was duly received 
find the certificate in the case of Stephen Sibley, is herewith en- 
closed. 

The eige of the Ezekiel Wood, of llorthamton, is given as 
48 years in 1781, but as the age of the Ezeiiel Wood, of Soutxi- 
ampton is not given, there is no way of determining xiaich of the 
two men is the younger. 

The tv/o dollars remaining to your credit are accord-- 
Ingly herewith returned. 

Yours respectfully, 



W^Til&L. 



Secretary, 



Comm'onlvinlff) of Ulassaclnisclts 

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY. 
REVOLUTIOIsTARY WA.R SERVICE 

IJF 



VJU 



i^/^c/jA^ <^^^^: ^^^^,, ^^^^^^^ 



'Boston, \aJ^ 2.S igO% 



I certify the foregoing lo he a true abstract 
from the fRecord Index to the Revolutionary War 
Archives 'deposited in tKis office. 

Witness the Seal of the Commonwealth. 



>-^(X 



Secretary 

cmc 



'.il.-r'.z[, ■_:: 






Extract from Letter of Assistant Librarian of Harvard College. 



WILLIAM C. LANE, Libarian 

W. H. TILLINGHAST, Assistant Libarian. 

A. C. POTTER, Assistant Libarian. 

LIBRARY OF HARVARD UNIVERSITY. 

Cambridge, Mass., June 16, 1908. 

Mr. Robert P. Sibley, 

Southern Slate Company, 

Rockmart, Ga. 

Dear Sir: 

Your letter of June 10th, inquiring in regard to cer- 
tain members of the Sibley family, was duly received. 

The history of the town of Sutton, Massachusetts, by W. A. 
Benedict and H. A. Tracy, Worcester, 1878, contains a gene- 
ology of the Sutton Sibleys and their ancestors. I have ex- 
tracted from it the names of the children of John Sibley, the 
immigrant; of his son Joseph, and of Joseph's son John, which 
I enclose. 

John Sibley died 1661. 
His sons names are — 

John, born March 4, 16'18. 

William, born July 8, 1653. 

Joseph, born 1655. 

Samuel, born February 12, 1657, 

Joseph Sibley 2, born 1655; married Susanna Follet, Febru- 
ary 4, 1684. Their children : 

Joseph, born November 9, 1684. 

John, born September 18, 1687. --x 

Jonathan, born ]\lay 1, 1693. 

Samuel, born 1697. 

William, born September 7, 1700. 

Benjamin, born September 19, 1703. 

Hannah, . 

John Sibley, born September 18, 1678, married Zerniah 
Gould. Their children : 

John, born November 13, 1714. 

Ebenezer, born February 28, 1717. 

Stephen, born October 1, 1720. 

Bethiah. born October 2, 1724. 

Timothy, born November 2, 1727. 

Be glad to answer any other specific questions so far as our 
books will enable me to do so. 

Yours very truly, 

WM. H. TILLINGHAST, 

Asst. Librarian. 



GENEALOGICAL. 

V 

1629— SIBLEY— 1908. 



It has been truly said, 

"If you would know who you are, 
Learn whence you came." 

Some speak of genealogical study as dry and unprofitable; 
and they do this from misapprehension of its importance and 
interest; but even these have some pride in being considered 
as belonging to "good families." 

We often hear of families dying out altogether, or ending 
in females, that we come to think that such a fate is the 
eventual end of all families. Every man living could, if he 
only knew the date, count up from son to father, from father 
to grandfather, from generation to generation, until he came 
to Adam himself. This is the great difference between good 
families and families of all other kinds. The members of a 
good family can tell who their forefathers were ; where they 
lived and whom they married ; while those w^ho belong to no 
families in particular are classed in a body, as those who 
don't know their own grandfathers, or who, perhaps, never 
had any to know. 

John Sibley, the immigrant, landed at Salem, Mass., in 
1629, and died in Manchester. 1661. His wife's name was 
Rachel. They had nine children — five daughters and four sons. 

Their sons were : 

John Sibley, born at Salem, ]\Iass.. JMarch 4th. 1648. 
William Sibley, born at Salem. Mass., July 8th, 1653. 
Joseph Sibley, born at Salem, Mass., 1655. 
Samuel Sibley, born at Salem, Mass., February 12th, 1657. 

Joseph Sibley, born at Salem, INIass., 1655, married Susanna 
Follet, born at Salem, Mass., February 4th, 1684. The chil- 
dren of Joseph and Susanna Sibley are : 

Joseph Sibley, born at Salem, Mass.. November 9th, 1684. 
John Sibley, born at Salem, Mass., September 18th, 1687. 
Jonathan Sibley, born at Salem, Mass., May 1st, 1690. 
Samuel Sibley, born at Salem. Mass., 1697. 
William Sibley, born at Salem, Mass., September 7th, 1700. 
Benjamin Sibley, born at Salem, Mass., September 19th, 1703. 
Hannah Sibley. 



114 

John Sibley, born at Salem, Mass., September 18th, 1687, 
married Zerniah Gould, born in Salem, Mass., April 20th, 1694. 
The children of John and Zerniah Sibley are : 

John Sibley was born in Salem, Mass., November 13th, 1714. 
Ebenezer Sibley, born in Salem, Mass., February 28th, 1717. 
Stephen Sibley, born in Sutton, Mass., October 1st, 1720. 

Bethial Sibley, born in Sutton, Mass., October 2, 1724; mar- 
ried Samuel Trask, November 3, 1743. 

Timothy Sibley, born in Sutton, INIass., November 7th, 1727. 

John Sibley, born in Salem, Mass., November 13th, 1714, 
married Abigail Towne, who was born in Topfield, Mass., April 
2nd, 1715. The children of the above John Sibley and Abigail 
Towne Sibley are : 

Stephen Sibley, born in Sutton, Mass., July 12th, 1741. 

Hannah Sibley, born in Sutton, Mass., September 26th, 1742 ; 
married Col. Jonathan Holman. 

Lydia Sibley, born in Uxbridge, Mass., June 28th, 1745. 

Peter Sibley, born in Uxbridge, Mass., September 16th, 1749. 

Mary Siblej^, born in Uxbridge, Mass., June 20th, 1751. 

Stephen Sibley who was born in Sutton, Mass., July 12th, 
1741, died August 25th, 1828, in Grafton, Mass., married 
Thankful Sibley, born in Grafton, Mass., 1745, died October 
26th, 1837, in Grafton, Mass. The children of Stephen and 
Thankful Sibley are : 

Lydia Sibley. 

Joel Sibley, born at Grafton, Mass., April 25th, 1766; died 
April 10, 1839, in Grafton, Mass. 
Hannah Sibley. 

Joel Sibley who was born in Grafton, Mass., April 25th, 
1766, and d[ed at Grafton, Mass., April 10th, 1839, married 
Lois Wood, who was born June 24th, 1767, daughter of 
Ezekial AVood, died November 21st, 1832. The children of 
Joel and Lois Sibley are : 

Amory Sibley, born at Uxbridge, Mass., June 20th, 1792; 
died in Augusta, Ga., June 22, 1849. 

Royal Sibley, born in Uxbridge, Mass., November 30th, 1793 ; 
died m Uxbridge, Mass., September 28th, 1822. 

Elmira Sibley, l)orn in Uxbridge, Mass., October 26th, 1797; 
died in Grafton, ^Mass., February 13th, 1835. 

Abigail and Nancy Sibley, born in Uxbridge, Mass., July 
29th, 1799, and Xancy died at Uxbridge, April 2nd, 1800; 
Abigail Sibley died at Providence, R. L, 1876. 



115 

Mary L. Sibley, born in Uxbridge. Mass.. December 28th, 
1802; died in Oxford, Mass., July 17th, 1847. 

Martha Sibley, born in Uxbridge, Mass., December 31, 1804; 
died at Grafton, Mass., February 11th, 1838. 

Josiah Sibley, born in Uxbridge, Mass., April 1st. 1808; died 
in Summerville, Augusta, Ga., December 7th. 1888. 

George N. Sibley, born in Uxbridge, Mass., August 12th, 
1810; died in West-Boro, Mass., June 17th, 1858. 

Josiah Sibley who was born in Uxbridge, Mass., April 1st, 
1808, married Sarah Ann Crapon, born at Providence, R. I., 
October 24th, 1809, (first wife) daughter of William and Han- 
nah Crapon, died in Augusta, Ga., May 17th. 1858. 

The children of Josiah and Sarah Ann Crapon Sibley are : 

William Crapon Sibley, born in Augusta, Ga., May 3rd, 1832; 
died April 17th, 1902, at Augusta, Ga. 

Henry Josiah Sibley, born in Augusta, Ga., March 19th, 
1833; died at Bear Creek, near Griffin, Ga., July 25th, 1864. 

Samuel Hale Sibley, born in Augusta, Ga., September 9th, 
1835; died in Atlanta, Ga., September 11th, 1884. 

Sophia INIatilda Sibley, born in Augusta, Ga., October 16th, 
1837; died in Mississippi City, Miss., October 29th, 1897; being 
the widow of General Chas. E. Smedes, C. A. S. 

George Royal Sibley, born in Augusta, Ga., pJune 19th, 1839; 
died in Summerville. Augusta, Ga., July 15th, 1887. 

Fannie ]\Iaria Sibley, born in Augusta, Ga., October 13th, 
1841 ; died in Augusta, Ga., December 20th, 1842. 

Mary Lois Sibley, born in Augusta, Ga., September 3rd, 
1843; died in Augusta, Ga., February 23rd, 1864. 

Alice Maria Siblev, born in Augusta, Ga., February 9th, 
1846; died in Augusta, Ga., July 13th, 1907. 

Robert Pendleton Siblev, born in Augusta, Ga., February 
17th, 1848. 

Caroline Crapon Sibley, born in Augusta, Ga., February 
21st, 1850; died in Augusta, Ga., November 16th, 1858. 

Amory Walter Sibley, born in Augusta, Ga., June 19th, 1852; 
died in Augusta, Ga., July 28th. 1899. 

Children of Josiah Sibley and Emma E. Lonstreet (his sec- 
ond wife), the daughter of Gilbert Longstreet, of Augusta, 
Ga., are : 

John Adams Siblev. born in Augusta, Ga., September 1st, 
1861. 

James Longstreet Siblev, born in Augusta, Ga., August 4th, 
1863. 

Mary Bones Siblev, born in Clarkesville, Ga., March 29th, 
1865. 

Emma Josephine Siblev, born in Augusta, Ga.. February 
23rd, 1867. '§ 'I'-^ri 



GENEALOGICAL TREE— WM. C. SIBLEY. 

William Crapon Sibley— Born, May 2, 1832— Died, April 17, 
1903— Married, November 7, 1860, Jane E. Thomas. 



1. Annie Sibley— Born, March 11, 1862; died, June, 1863. 

2. Josiah Sibley— Born, Jany. 10, 1864; died Ang. 11, 1866. 

3. Grigsby T. Sibley— Born, Dec. 21, 1865; married, Feby. 16, 

18*87, Mary Hinson Smith. 
Hinson S. Sibley— Born, Dec. 6, 1887. 
Jennie Tliomas Sibley' — Born, Jany. 10, 1889. 
Rosina Sibley— Born,' Aug. 30, 1890. 
Annie Siblev— Born, Dec. 29, 1892. 
Mary Smith Sibley— Born, Nov. 18, 1895. 
Grace Sibley— Born, Oct. 23, 1897. 

Wm. C. Sibley— Born, Oct. 4, 1899; died, Apr. 19, 1900. 
Lillian Pearl Sibley — Born June 15, 1901. 
Dorothy Sibley— Born, Nov. 9, 1904; died, Nov. 24, 1904. 
Grigsl)y Thomas Sibley, Jr. — Born, ]\Iarch 2, 1906. 

4. Rev. Julian S. Sible^^— Born, Aug. 27, 1867; married, Oct. 

31, 1888, Gora B. Haddon. 
Warren Sibley— Born, Apr. 28, 1891. 
William L. Sibley— Born June 13, 1897. 
John Carey Siblev — Born, Aug. 23, 1901. 
Marjorie Sibley— Born Sept. 6, 1903 ; died July 16, 1905. 

5. John W. Sibley — Born Jany. 5, 1869; married, Jany. 9, 

1890, Ilattie Alma Cole,\vho died Oct. 24. 1890; mar- 
ried second time, Nov. 10, 1892, Willie Richards Casey. 
Hattie Camiele Sibley— Born, March 20, 1894. 

6. Barney Dunbar Sibley — Born, Oct. 18, 1870; married, Nov. 

10, 1892, Carrie 'Harris. 
Marguerete Sibley — Born Aug. 7, 1895. 
Campbell Sibley— Born Dec. 2, 1896; died May, 1905. 
Wm. Langley Sibley — Born, July 7, 1906. 

7. W. Langley Sibley— Born. :\larch 13, 1872; married. May 

7, 1907, Kate' Davis Marshall. 
John Davis Sibley— Born, Febuary 7, 1908. 

8. Lillian Pearl Shivers Sibley — Born, January 17, 1875; mar- 

ried John A. La^v. 
Jennie Thomas Law — Born, Jany. 28, 1902. 
Annie Elizabeth Law — Born, June 25, 1903. 
Margaret Adger Law — Born, Feby. 8, 1905. 
John Adger Law, Jr. — Born, March 30, 1907. 

9. Grace Isabel Sibley — Born, April 1, 1877. (Easter Sun- 

day, and anniversary of birthday of her grandfather, 
Josiah Sibley.) 



FAMILY REGISTER OF SAMUEL HALE SIBLEY I. 



Samuel Hale Sibley, third son of Josiali Sibley, was born 
in Augusta, Georgia. September 9, 1835. Died in Atlanta, 
Georgia, December 11, 1861. His wife, Sarah Virginia Hart 
(Jennie Hart), born in Augusta, Ga., October 22, 1846. ]\Iar- 
ried November 15, 1865, by Rev. Joseph R. Wilson, First 
Presbyterian Church, Augusta; the first large wedding after 
the close of the civil war; special train, next day, carrying 
wedding party of a hundred to Union Point (the home of 
the bride) for grand reception, other special trains bringing 
guests from neighboring towns. 

The Children of This Marriage: 

1. Josiah Siblev, Jr. — Born, Union Point, Greene countv, 

November "29, 1866; died, August 29, 1879. 

2. Grace Pendleton Sibley— Born, May 26, 1868; died, July 

31, 1870. 

3. Jennie Hart Sibley — Born, December 28, 1869. 

4. Katherine Collier Siblev — Born, Augusta, Ga., January 

14, 1872. 

5. Samuel Hale Sibley, Jr. — Born, Union Point, July 12, 1873. 

6. James Hart Sibley — Born, Union Point, Sept. 25, 1875. 

Marriages of the Children: 

Jennie Hart to Harold Lamb, of Charleston, S. C, January 
7, 1891. No issue. 

Katherine Collier to Robert F. Bryan, Union Point, Ga., Feb- 
ruary 20, 1896. 

Issue — Francis Sibley — Born, September 2, 1897. 
Sara Virginia — Born, May 14, 1900. 
Harold Lamb— Born, October 10, 1902. 
Robert Francis, Jr. — Born October 24, 1904. 

Samuel Hale Sibley, Jr., married Florence Weldon Hart, April 
19, 1898, of" Union Point, Ga. 

Issue — William Hart Sibley — Born August 4, 1898. 

Lucy Bentley Sibley— Born, June 22, 1900; died 

at birth. 
Sara Virginia Sibley— Born, August 9, 1901. 
Florence Weldon Sibley — Born, August 20, 1906. 



118 

FAMILY TREE— GEORGE ROYAL SIBLEY. 

George Royal Sibley — Born in Augusta. Ga.. June 19, 1839. 
Married, January 21, 1862, Emma Tucker in (Midway) Mil- 
ledgeville .Ga. 

Their children are : Alice Reese, ]\Iary Lois. Anna Belle and 
George Royal Sibley. 

Alice Reese Sibley married Asbury Hull, in Augusta, 
Ga. Their children are Emma Georgia, Jephthah 
Rucker, Alice Sibley and Asbury (the last died in 
1902.) 

Emma Georgia Hull married Andrew Claudius Perkins, 
and their children are Alice Hull and Andrew Clau- 
dius, Jr. 

Mary Lois Sibley married Oswell Roebuck Eve, and 
their child is Mary Lois Sibley. 

Anna Belle Sibley married James Hampleton Brinson. 

George Royal Sibley (son of Geo. R. Sibley born June 
19, 1839) married Margaret Belle Schweigert. 

FAMILY TREE— ROBERT PENDLETON SIBLEY. 

Robert Pendleton Sibley — Born in Augusta, Georgia, Feb- 
ruary 17, 18-48; was married, by Rev. Warner T. Boiling, in 
Memphis, Tenn., September 4, 1872, to Susie Wheless Boiling, 
daughter of Robert P. Boiling, born in Nashville, Tenn., Jan- 
uary 19, 1851. 

Their children are : 

Boiling Sibley, born in Augusta, Ga., August 20, 1873. 

Francis Wheless Sibley, born at Memphis, Tenn., Jan- 
uary 2, 1875. 

Josiah Sibley, born in Augusta, Ga., May 12, 1877. 

George Roval Sibley, born in Augusta, Ga., January 
8, 1879. ^ 

Robert Sibley ,born in Round Mountain, Ala., March 
28, 1881. 

Herbert Sibley, born in Augusta, Ga., October 13. 1885. 
died at Memphis, Tenn., August 6, 1904, by drowning 
when learning to swim. 

FAMILY TREE— ALICE MARIA SIBLEY WILLIAMS. 

Alice Maria Siblev — Born in Augusta, Georgia. February 9th, 
1846; died July 18th, 1907. Married William Thorne Wil- 
liams, of Savannah, Georgia, 1865. 
Their Children — 

Emma Wilhelmina, born in Augusta, Georgia, October 
6th, 1867. ^larried John Harper Davison, of Belfast, 
Ireland, February 6th, 1889. 



119 

Mary Lois, born in Augnsta, Georgia, September 10th, 
1869. Married James Bishop Alexander, of Angiista, 
Georgia, November 14th, 1894. 

Maepherson Berrien, born in ^Marietta, Georgia, August 
10th, 1872. ]\Iarried Julia Sanders Carmichael, of 
Augusta, Georgia, November 20th, 1900. 

FAMILY TREE— JOHN ADAMS SIBLEY. 

John Adams Sibley — Born September 1, 1861. ]\Iarried, 
June 1, 1882, Sarah Louisa Chandler, born January 11, 1859; 
died, April 8, 1905, daughter of Isaac C. and Sarah Thomas 
Chandler, of Juniper, Ga. 

Children — James Longstreet, born June 7, 1883. 
Eugene, born May 29, 1885. 
Frank Chandler, born February 17. 1888. 
Marled, January 26, 1907, Susan Cunningham McPherson, 
of Detroit, Mich. ' 

FAMILY TREE— JAMES L. SIBLEY. 

James Longstreet Sibley — Born August 4. 1863. Married, 
November 11, 1884. to IMattie Erwin. daughter of Mary 
(Tucker) and Ulysses Maner Erwin. 
Their Children— 

Mattie (Sibley) Case, wife of I. C. Case; born Februry 

13, 1886 ; married September 5, 1905. 
John Adams Sibley, born January 4, 1888. 
Ulysses Maner Erwin Sibley, born April 9, 1890. 
James Longstreet Sibley, Jr., born August 29, 1891. 
Josephine King Sibley, born May 13, 1893. 
Mary Eve Sibley, born November 28, 1895. 
Josiah Sibley, born September 16, 1898. 
William Augustus Longstreet Sibley, born February 

12, 1901. 
Marion Erwin Sibley, born January 12, 1902. 
Allan BoM^en Sibley, born September 22. 1903. 

FAMILY TREE— MARY B, SIBLEY GARDNER. 

Mary B. Sibley— Born in Clarksville, Ga., on March 29, 1865. 
Married December 28, 1887, by Rev. D. L. Buttolph, at Au- 
gusta, Ga., to Albert S. J. Gardner, w^ho was born at "Ingle- 
side," near Augusta, on September 22, 1863. 

Their Children — 

Albert Gardner — Born at "Cottage Hill," near Mari- 
etta, Ga., on September 21, 1889; died June 7, 1890. 

Emma Eve Gardner — Born at "Cottage Hill," near 
Marietta, Ga., on November 1, 1890. 



120 

Charles Sehlev — Born at "Cottage Hill," near Marietta, 

Ga., on August 9, 1892. 
Jesse Jordan — Born at "Cottage Hill," near Marietta, 

Ga., on March 17, 1894. 
Mary Lois — Born at "Cottage Hill," near Marietta, Ga., 

on January 11, 1899. 

FAMILY TREE— EMMA JOSEPHINE COUPER. 

Emma Josephine Sibley — Born February 23, 1867. Mar- 
ried Butler King Couper, born March 20, 1851, on May 27, 
1891, at Marietta, Ga. 

Their Children — 

Constance Maxwell Cooper — Born August 12, 1897. 
Butler King Couper, Jr. — Born January 1, 1906. 



m 



Sibley 
115. 

Sibley 
115. 



bley 
bley 
bley 
bley 
bley 
bley 
bley 
bley 
bley 
bley 
bley 
bley 
bley 
bley 
bley 
111, 
Sibley 
Sibley, 
lir^. 
Sibley 
Sibley 
Sibley 
Sibley 
Sibley 
Sibley 
Sibley 
Sibley 
Sibley 
Sibley 
115. 



bley 

bley 

bley 

blej^ 

51. 

bley 

bley 

blej^ 

bley 

bley 

bley 

bley 

blej^ 

bley 

bley 

bley 

bley, 

61 



Amory Walter, 44, 
Alice Maria, 44, 52, 



5G, 



Andrew, 26. 
Abigail, 26, 114. 
Azubah, 26. 
Anna, 26. 
Abraham, 26. 
Amory, 41, 42, 55, 56, 114 
Amos, 26. 

Allen Bowen, 103, 119. 
Alice Reese, 118. 
Anna Belle, 118. 
Annie 64, 116. 
Borak, 26. 
Boiling, 95, 118. 
Dr. B. Dunbar, 72. 
Benjamin, 20, 24, 26, 37, 
113. 

Bethiah, 111, 114. 
Caroline Crapon, 44 56, 

Chas. H. 87. 
Gen'l. Caleb, 24, 25, 26. 
Catherine Elizabeth, 96. 
Daniel, 24, 26, 30. 
David, 26, 30. 
Derrick, 5. 
Dorothy, 116. 
Dorcas, 26. 
Dorothy Leigh, 95. 
Emma Josephine, 44, 57, 

Edward, 10. 
Elijah, 24. 26, 30. 
Ezeikel, 26. 
Elizabeth, 11, 23, 25, 26, 



Ezra, 26. 
Experience, 2o. 
Eunice, 26. 
Esther, 26. 
Ebenezer, 111, 114. 
Fanny Maria, 44, 56, 115. 
Frank, 24, 30, 119. 
Frances Wheless, 118. 
Florence Weldon, 117. 
Gideon, 24, 26, 30. 
George, 11, 41, 42, 43. 
George Royal, 43, 56, 57, 
64, 77, 79, 81, 82, 83, 95, 



115, 118. 

Sibley, Grigsby Thomas, 71, 8^ 

116. 
Sibley, Geo. E. 8, 25. 
Sibley, Grace, 51, 116. 



Sibley, Grace Isabclle, 116. 

Sibley, Grace Pendleton, 78, 117. 

Sibley, Herbert, 118. 

Sibley, Hezekiah, 26. 

Sibley, Hannah, 20, 24, 26, 37, 

38, 111, 113. 114. 
Sibley, Huldah, 24, 25, 26. 
Sibley, Henry Josiah, 43, 44, 56. 

115. 
Sibley, Gen. Henry Hastings, U. 

S. A., 5, 6, 10, 11, 14, 16, 20, 25. 
Sibley, Henry, 8, 10, 30. 
Sibley, Hiram, 25. 
Sibley, Hon Henry Hopkins, 25. 
Sibley, Gen. Henry Hopkins, C. 

_S. A. 25. 
Sibley, Hinson S, 116. 
Sibley, Isaac, 26. 
Sibley, Isiah, 26. 
Sibley, Josiah, Jr., 78. 
Sibley, James, 23, 26, 30. 
Sibley. Joshua, 26. 
Sibley, Jephtha, 26. 
Sibley, Joanna, 26. 
Sibley, John Whipple, 26, 71, 116 
Sibley. John Adams, 44, 52, 57, 

61, 97, 99, 103. 115, 119. 
Sibley, James Longstreet, 44, 52, 

57. 61. 101. 103. 115, 119. 
Sibley, James Hart. 52. 53_, 78. 
Sibley. Mrs. Jennie Hart, widow 

of S. H. Sibley, 52. 
Sibley, Josiah & Sons, 42, 56, 

63, 77. 

Sibley, J. & Sons, 42, 56, 63, 77, 

90. 
Sibley, Jonathan, 5, 6, 20, 22, 24, 

25. 26, 27, 30, 37. 111. 113. 
Sibley. Joseph, 5, 6, 20, 22, 23, 

24, 26. 30, 37, 38, 87, 111, 113. 

Sibley, John, 5, 6, 8. 10. 12. 13, 

14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 23, 24. 

26, 27, 30, 37, 41, 45, 55, 72, 
87, 111. 113. 

Sibley, Rev. John Langdon, 7, 

18, 25, 26. 
Sibley, Jonas, 24, 25, 26. 30. 
Sibley, James L, 5. 119. 
Sibley. Josiah, 25, 26, 38, 42, 43, 

46, 51, 52, 54, 55, 57, 58, 60, 63. 

64, 77, 87, 90. 99, 103, 115, 116, 
117, 118, 118. 

Sibley, Jacob, 26. 

Sibley, Joel, 26, 38, 41, 55, 87, 

114. 
Sil^lev, Tercmiah, 26. 
Sibley, Rev. Julian S. 71, 72, 116. 



II. 



Sibley 

Sibley 
Sibley 
Siblej^ 
Sibley 
Sibley 
Sibley 
Sibley, 
Sibley 
Siblev 
Sibley 
Sibley 
Sibley 
Siblej' 
Sibley 
Sibley 
Sibley 

29. 
Sibley, 
Sibley 
Sibley 

115, 
Sibley 

119. 



Jennie Hart, 117. 
Jennie Thomas, 116. 
John Carey, ll!,'. 
John Davis, 116. 
James Hart, 117. 
Josie King, lO:^, 119. 
Rev^ Josiah, 95, 96. 
Katherine Collier, 117. 
Lois, 41. 
Lyclia, 26, 11-i. 
Levi, 26. 

Lillian Pearl, 116. 
Lillian Pearl Shivers 116 
Lucy Bentley, 117. 
Moses, 26. 
Martha, 8. 26, 115. 
Mrs. Mary, (widow 



RLithew, 26. 
Mary, 24, 26, 114. 
Mary Lois, 44, 53. 
118. 
Mary Bont.-^, t-i, 57. 



28, 



56. 



11. 1 



bley, Mrs. Mattie Krwin, 5:.:. 

bley, Mary Smith. 116. 

bley, Marjorie, llo. 

bley, Mattie, 10.3, 119. 

bley, Mary Eve, lO.-]. 119. 

bley. Marion. 103, 119. 

bley, Mark H, 25, 26. 

bley. Nehemiah, 24, 26. 

bley, Nicholas, 9. 

bley, Capt. Nathaniel, 24, 25, 

30. 

bley, Naomi, 26. 

bley. Noah, 26. 

bley, Oscar E, 25. 

bley, Peter. 24. 26, 30, 114. 

bley, Philip, 26. 

bley, Paul. 24, 26. 

bley, Persis. 26. 

bley. Priscilla. 26. 

bley, Phoebe, 26. 

bley. Pardon, 26. 

bley. Patience, 26. 

bley. Prudence, 26. 

bley, Rueben, 5. 6. 24, 26. 

bley, Richard. 5, 6, 12, 20, 25, 

30, 37, 41. 
Sibley. Rachel, 18, 26, 113. 
Sibley, Rufus, 24, 26. 
Sibley, Ruth. 26. 
Sibley. Royal. 41. 42. 44, 55, 114. 
Sibley, Robert Pendleton, 38, 43. 

44, 51. 52, 56, 57. 61, 85, 87, 88, 

95. Ill, 115. 118. 
Sibley, Robert 38. 42. 43, 96. 118 
Sibley, Rosina. 116. 



Sibley, Septimus. M. D.. 23. 

Sibley, Simeon, 24, 26. 

Sibley, Solomon, Chief Justice, 

5, 6, 25, 26. 
Sibley, c.amuel, 20. 24, 25. 26, 27, 

30, 37. 43, 111, 113. 
Sibley, Silas, 26. 
Sibley, Stephen, 24, 20, 30, 37, 

38. 41, 87, 109, 111. 114. 
Sibley, Sarah, 18, 19 24, 25, 26, 

27. 
Sibley. Susanna, 24, 26, 37, 113. 
Sibley, Samuel Hale, 42, 44, 52. 

56, 57, 60, 61, 63, 75, 77. 115, 

117. 
Sibley. Sophia Matilda. 44, 56, 

115. 
Sibley, Sara \/'irginia, 117. 
Sibley, Judge Samuel Hale, 53, 

78. 
Sibley, Timothy, 24, 25, 26, 27, 

30, 111, 114. 
Sibley. Thomas, 8, 10, 15, 26. 
Sibley, Thaddeus, 26. 
Sibley, Tamah, 26. 
Sil^le,-. Temperence, 26. 
Sibley, Tarrant, 24, 30. 
Sibley, Thankful, 114. 
Sibley, Ulyses Maner, 103, 119. 
Sibley. Vashti, 26. 
Sibley. William, 15, 20, 24, 30, 

37, 43, 111, 113. 
Sibley, Warren, 116. 
Sibley, William Hart, 117. 
Sibley, William Crapon, 42, 44, 

52, 56, 61, 63, 69, 77, 89, 115, 

116. 
Sibley. William Langley. 72. 116 
Sibley, William Augustus Long- 
street. 103, 119. 
Sibley. Zeribbebel, 26. 
Sibley Coat of Arms. 33. 
Sibley Mfg. Co., 40, 43. 57. 
Sibley Home in Sou. Chou. 
■^"tton Sibleys, 20, 111. 
Alexander, Marion. 
Alexander. Bishop, 119. 
Aurrusta Orphan Asylum. 57. 
Arms of the Sibley Family of 

St. Albans. 8. 
Anne. Queen. 13. 21, 
Domesday Book, | 
Liber Domes Dei. $ 14 
Barnes. Capt. Geo. T. 87. 91. 
Boiling .Robert Peyton, 90. 
Boiling, Susie Wheless, 90, 95. 

118. 
Rrvan, Robert, F. 117. 
Bryan, Francis Sibley, 117. 



111. 



Bryan, Sara Virginia, 117. 
Bryan, Harold Lamb, 117. 
Bryan, Robert Fracis, Jr. 117. 
Brown, Gov. Joseph E. 87. 
Barnes Battery of Artillery, 43, 

88, 89. 
Brinson, James Hampleton, 118. 
Couper, C K., 120. 
Crapon, Sarah /\.nn, 44, 56, 87, 

115. 
Couper, Emma Josephine Sib- 
ley, 52, 1:^0. 
Cromwell, Oliver, 5. 
Cole, Hattie Alma. 116. 
Casey, Willie Richards, IIC. 
Commonwealth of Massacliu- 

setts, 107, 109. 
Charles I, King of England, 6, 

9, 13. 
Case, I Clark. 119. 
Clarke, Hyde. 11, 13. 
Dunbar & Sibley, G4. 
Dow, Sarah, 21. 
Dudley, J., 16, 21. 
Davison, Mrs. John Harper, 53. 
Davison, John Harper, 118. 
Doughty. Dr. W. H., 89. 
Dnl-e of York, 10. 
Dudley, T. A. Jr., 66. 
Evans, Clement A. 91. 
Eve, Oswell Roebuck, 118. 
Eve, Mrs. Oswell R, 53. 
Evans, Capt. Joshua J., C. S. 

A., 77. 
Endicott, Gov. John. 17. 
Erwin, Mattie, 103, 119. 
Edward VI, King. 
Elmore, E. C, 67. 
Fairburns, Crests, 8. 
Gardner, Albert S. J., 51, 52, 53, 

119. 
Gardner, Jessie Jordan. 120. 
Gardner, Mrs. Mary S., 53. 53, 

54, 119. 

Gardner, Emma Sibley. 
Gardner. Char'es Schley, 120. 
Gray's Inn, 8, 9, 10, 12 
Gould. Zermiah, 111. 114. 
Holman. Col. Jonathan. 114. 
Hart. Florence Weldon, 117. 
Hope. John 9. 
Higgingson, Rev. Francis, 17. 
Hamnden. John, 5, 15. 
Hull. Asbury, 118. 
Hull, Emma Georgia, 118. 
Hull, Jeptha Rucker, 118. 
Hull. Asbury. Jr.. 118. 
Harvard University. 7. 18. 111. 
Hart, Sarah Virginia, 77. 



Jackson, Brig. Gen'l. John K, 

C. S. A., 43, 63. 

Land, Arch Bishop, 5. 

Law, John Adger, 116. 

Law, Jennie Thomas, 116. 

Law, Annie Elizabeth, 116. 

Law. Margaret Adger. 116. 

Lamb, Harold, 117. 

Longstrcet. Gen'l. James, C. S. 
A., 103. 

Longstrcet, Emma Eve, 44, 57, 
99, 103, 115. 

Langley, Mfg. Co., 43, 57, 64. 

McKinstrec, John, 31. 

Morse, J. Willard, 25. 

Maynard, Maud. 96. 

Massachusetts Historial Socie- 
ty, 18. 

Marshall's Genealogist, 12. 

National Bank of Augusta 83. 

Olin. Wm. M. 107, 109. 

Padleford, E. 56. 

Putnam, Gen. Isreal, 30. 

Pym, John, 5, 15. 

Perkins, Andrew Cludius, 118. 

Perkins. Alice Hull, 118. 

Rex, Charles, 5. 

Schweigert, Margaret Belle. 118 

Stone, Catherine. 96. 

Sproat, Sarah, W. 5. 

Sproat, Colonel Ebenezer, 5. 

Sherman, Gen. Wm. T.. U. S. 
A., 87, 88, 89. 

Smedes, Gen. Chas. E., C. S. 
A., 115. 

Towne, Abigail, 114. 

Tucker, Emma. 81. 118. 

Thomas, Jane E, 64, 116. 

Temple. Sir Richard, 12. 

Whipple. Commodore Abraham 
5. 

Whipple. John. 22. 

West, Williams, 9. 

West, Richard, 10. 

Williams, Mrs. Alice M. lis. 

Williams, Macpherson Berrien. 

51. 59, 119. 

Williams, Emma Wilhclmina, 

52. 118. 

Williams, Mary Lois. 119. 
Wheeler, Gen. Joseph, C. S. A.. 

89. 
Wampus. John, 20. 
Winthrop Fleet, 5, 13, 14, 15, 16, 

17. 19. 20, 41. 
William the Conquercr. 7. 9, 13, 

14. 
Webb. Adeline. 95. 
Wood, F/ekiel. 41, 55, 114. 
Wood. Lois, 55. 114. 



Ni n^i, ^ °^ CONGRESS W 



021 392 143 5 





